S'pore construction firm charged for operating unlicensed foreign worker dormitory in Sungei Kadut

A construction company in Singapore and its general manager have been charged for allegedly operating an unlicensed foreign worker dormitory.

According to a media release by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), LBD Engineering Pte Ltd and general manager Alvin Lim Yee Hong, 35, were charged in court under the Foreign Employee Dormitories Act 2015 (FEDA).

MOM inspected LBD's factory premises at 58A Sungei Kadut Loop, and found about 300 bed spaces there.

An investigation revealed that LBD had converted parts of the premises into a dormitory, housing 173 migrant workers from four different companies.

Lim was allegedly aware that the company did not hold a valid FEDA licence, but allowed the operation of the dormitory regardless.

Penalties

Under the FEDA, the offence of operating a foreign employee dormitory without a valid licence carries a fine of up to $500,000, imprisonment of up to two years or both.

MOM stated that it takes "a serious view of the operation of unlicensed foreign employee dormitories."

The ministry also reiterated that licensing requirements are necessary to ensure that dormitories provide safe and proper living conditions for migrant workers. Operating a dormitory without a valid license circumvents these safeguards and may put the well-being of workers at risk.

It will not hesitate to take firm enforcement action against those who operate foreign employee accommodation without a valid FEDA licence.

Employers are also responsible for ensuring that their migrant workers' accommodation complies with regulations, it said.

Members of the public who are aware of suspected unlicensed foreign employee dormitories or other infringements involving migrant worker accommodation should report the matter to MOM through its “Report an Infringement” eService.

All information provided will be kept strictly confidential.