Debated in Parliament on 6 Feb 2023.
Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what is the current demand for additional dormitory accommodations for migrant workers; (b) what specific actions is the Ministry taking to increase the availability of dormitory beds; and (c) how is the Ministry engaging with the construction sector to understand and address post-COVID-19 challenges in implementing productivity measures to reduce the demand for dormitory accommodations by reducing reliance on manpower.
With economic reopening, there has been strong demand for dormitory beds as employers have been hiring more migrant workers to catch up on projects. The number of Work Permit holders in the Marine, Construction and Process sectors has increased by 29% over the past year since January 2022 and is now 13% higher than pre-COVID-19 levels.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has been monitoring the situation and has worked closely with relevant stakeholders to make more dormitory beds available. Efforts include maximising the utilisation of existing dormitory capacity and allowing more Factory Converted Dormitories (FCDs) and Construction Temporary Quarters (CTQs). We are also pressing on with plans to build more purpose-built dormitories. Employers may apply to set up new FCDs and CTQs. They should also reduce reliance on manpower through adoption of technology and lean methodologies, as migrant worker numbers cannot keep rising.
For the construction industry, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) has been implementing various initiatives to support firms in improving their productivity. For example, BCA extended the Productivity Innovation Project (PIP) scheme in March 2022, which co-funds up to 70% of the cost premium of newer labour-efficient technologies and innovations, including those that shift construction activities off-site into more productive factory-like settings.
BCA has also engaged and worked closely with industry stakeholders to jointly develop a set of strategies to guide its development over the next few years, as part of the refreshed Built Environment Industry Transformation Map (BE ITM) launched in September 2022. The BE ITM hoists in the lessons learnt during COVID-19, including the need to reduce the industry’s reliance on foreign manpower. BCA will continue to partner the construction industry in its transformation efforts.
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