In labour-intensive industries, it is possible to overlook basic housing needs for your foreign employees. This issue is even more pressing for the foreign employees who earn a minimal wages to sustain their expenses in Singapore.
It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that foreign workers have acceptable housing, which is clearly defined by different government entities in Singapore. Employers are required to update the residential address within 5 calendar days or change of address. The consequences of not being able to meet basic requirements can affect your future Work Permit applications and renewals.
It’s really difficult to be able to ensure that foreign workers have acceptable living standards because employees move from one location to another. To prevent any implications, employers should:
- Educate their employees on what is acceptable housing standards, and regularly check their accommodation and make necessary improvements
- Encourage and facilitate information dissemination when foreign workers are finding another place to stay, or if there are any existing problems with their current accommodation
- Carefully select dormitories to house foreign workers or ensure that the housing is approved under the different types of approved housing, subject to industry.
Foreign workers who are Malaysians OR Non-Malaysians from Service or Manufacturing sectors can be housed in HDB flats. Effective from 1 January 2017, employers are to take note that Non-Malaysians from manufacturing sector are only allowed to rent individual room instead of an entire HDB flat.
Reference: http://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-worker/sector-specific-rules/housing-requirements