As the cases of Coronavirus outbreak continues within the dormitory in Singapore, the government is making efforts by allowing employers to house their foreign workers separately from the main crowd to reduce the risk of any possible infection.
Employers can seek government approval to convert their workplaces, either factory or office space to temporary living quarters (TLQs). This includes Malaysian workers affect by Malaysia’s Movement Control Order) for a temporary period of not more than six months.
The declaration form for such an application can be found here.
Besides the application, the applicant will need to have control measures at the TLQ to show that social distancing and safety measures are in place to ensure the safety of the foreign workers residing at these premises.
However, it there is a false declaration to the authority, it is an offence under Section 22(1)(d) of the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA), to provide false information to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). The offenders will be subjected to a fine of up to $20,000, and/or 24 months jail.
Meanwhile, the authority is also going around these TLQs to check for any uncompliant at the sites, which MOM reserves the right to revoke the approval for the TLQ as well.
