• About Us
    • Fact Checking Policy
    • Ownership & funding information
    • Volunteer
  • Subscribe
  • Letter submission
    • Submissions Policy
  • Contact Us
The Online Citizen Asia
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Letters
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Singapore
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Politics
    • Civil Society
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Letters
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Singapore
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Politics
    • Civil Society
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
No Result
View All Result
The Online Citizen Asia
No Result
View All Result

B-Construction Pte Ltd fined $74,000 for housing its foreign workers in unapproved accommodation

by Neyla Zannia
02/12/2016
in Labour
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0

Portable toilets used by B-Construction workers (Source : MOM).

B-Construction Pte Ltd, was convicted in the State Courts on 1 December for housing its foreign workers (FWs) in unapproved accommodation and for aiding another construction company to house its FWs in a similar manner.

The accused company pleaded guilty to 11 charges under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA) and was fined a total of $74,000. Another 15 charges were taken into consideration for the purposes of sentencing.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said that it has debarred both employers from hiring new FWs or renewing the work passes of their existing FWs.

MOM stated that investigations revealed that the company had housed its FWs, including FWs from another company, Hong Xie Long Pte Ltd., in a construction site quarters located at Canberra Crescent, from January to June 2015.

It noted that the company knew that approvals from relevant government agencies (the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Public Utilities Board (PUB)) and endorsement by a Professional Engineer were required before the workers could be housed onsite. However, it failed to obtain the necessary approvals and endorsements.

According to the Ministry, the 26 workers involved lived in temporary workers quarters consisting of containers and make-shift zinc huts that were cramped. The sanitary facilities were inadequate. Apart from the three poorly maintained portable toilets, there were no proper toilets or shower areas. The workers had to shower in the open-air wash areas using hoses.

Portable toilets used by B-Construction workers (Source : MOM).
Portable toilets used by B-Construction workers (Source : MOM).
Outdoor wash areas where B-Construction workers had to take their shower without privacy (Source : MOM).
Outdoor wash areas where B-Construction workers had to take their shower without privacy (Source : MOM).
Cramped sleeping quarters in containers and makeshift zinc huts where B-Construction workers spend their nights (Source : MOM).
Cramped sleeping quarters in containers and makeshift zinc huts where B-Construction workers spend their nights (Source : MOM).

MOM stated that it has assisted all FWs involved to relocate to other accommodation.

Commenting on the case, Director of Well-Being Department at MOM’s Foreign Manpower Management Division, Ms Jeanette Har, said, “Employers must take the well-being of their workers seriously. We will take strong action against employers who house their workers in accommodation that does not have the necessary approvals and subject their workers to poor living conditions.”

On 3 March 2016, two construction companies, 3S Solid Surface Pte Ltd and Sing Solid Surface Pte Ltd, were fined a total of $180,000 for housing their workers in a factory premises with hazardous living conditions, and for making false declarations in the Online Foreign Worker Accommodation System (OFWAS).

In another case, on 31 May 2016, a dormitory operator KT Mesdorm was fined $300,000 for housing workers in overcrowded premises.

In 2015, MOM said that it had conducted over 1,450 housing inspections and took action against 2,300 employers for housing their FWs in unapproved premises. While, In 2014, MOM conducted 718 housing inspections and took enforcement action against 1,400 employers.

Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower (Work Passes) Regulations, employers are required to provide accommodation for their FWs that complies with the various statutory requirements.

Employers who contravene any of the conditions of the work pass will be guilty of an offence under Section 22(1)(a) of the EFMA. Offenders and can be fined up to $10,000 and /or imprisoned up to 12 months for each offence.

Members of the public who know of persons or employers who contravene the EFMA should report the matter to MOM at 6438 5122 or e-mail [email protected] All information will be kept strictly confidential.

For just US$7.50 a month, sign up as a subscriber on The Online Citizen Asia (and enjoy ads-free experience on our site) to support our mission to transform TOC into an alternative mainstream press.

Related Posts

Nine missing after fishing boat capsizes in South Korea
AFP

Nine missing after fishing boat capsizes in South Korea

05/02/2023
Piercings and prayer: Malaysian Hindus celebrate Thaipusam
AFP

Piercings and prayer: Malaysian Hindus celebrate Thaipusam

05/02/2023
Grab SG appoints PAP MP Tin Peiling as director of public affairs and policy
Politics

Netizens question Tin Pei Ling’s conflict of interest as Grab’s director of Public Affairs and Member of Parliament

05/02/2023
Why is Gautam Adani’s Indian empire in turmoil?
AFP

Indian regulator reassures investors after Adani rout

05/02/2023
Cognizant India transfers staff to work in Singapore as recently as this year
Labour

Local IT grads can’t find jobs while engineers constantly transferred from India to work in SG under CECA

05/02/2023
Family of student killed in accident involving retired police officer, calls for transparency from Indonesian police
Indonesia

Family of student killed in accident involving retired police officer, calls for transparency from Indonesian police

04/02/2023
Subscribe
Connect withD
Login
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Notify of
Connect withD
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Latest posts

Nine missing after fishing boat capsizes in South Korea

Nine missing after fishing boat capsizes in South Korea

05/02/2023
Piercings and prayer: Malaysian Hindus celebrate Thaipusam

Piercings and prayer: Malaysian Hindus celebrate Thaipusam

05/02/2023
Grab SG appoints PAP MP Tin Peiling as director of public affairs and policy

Netizens question Tin Pei Ling’s conflict of interest as Grab’s director of Public Affairs and Member of Parliament

05/02/2023
Why is Gautam Adani’s Indian empire in turmoil?

Indian regulator reassures investors after Adani rout

05/02/2023
Cognizant India transfers staff to work in Singapore as recently as this year

Local IT grads can’t find jobs while engineers constantly transferred from India to work in SG under CECA

05/02/2023
Family of student killed in accident involving retired police officer, calls for transparency from Indonesian police

Family of student killed in accident involving retired police officer, calls for transparency from Indonesian police

04/02/2023
【财政预算案2021】2020年预算赤字达649亿元 占国内生产总值13.9%

China’s mega-rich move their wealth, and partying, to Singapore

04/02/2023
2024 Olympic torch relay to start in Marseille

2024 Olympic torch relay to start in Marseille

03/02/2023

Trending posts

Former Singaporean shares change of life in Australia with annual pay of S$80,000 as a plumber

Former Singaporean shares change of life in Australia with annual pay of S$80,000 as a plumber

by Yee Loon
30/01/2023
25

...

They have done a fine job of confusing us about the jobs situation

They have done a fine job of confusing us about the jobs situation

by Augustine Low
01/02/2023
47

...

Adani’s brother runs SG company and registers as director with local ID

Adani’s brother runs SG company and registers as director with local ID

by Correspondent
03/02/2023
25

...

Excessively charging for an essential need, and calling it affordable because people still can pay for it?

by Terry Xu
31/01/2023
40

...

Singapore Law Watch removes commentary on CPIB’s decision to not prosecute former Keppel executives

Singapore Law Watch removes commentary on CPIB’s decision to not prosecute former Keppel executives

by The Online Citizen
02/02/2023
19

...

Cognizant India transfers staff to work in Singapore as recently as this year

Local IT grads can’t find jobs while engineers constantly transferred from India to work in SG under CECA

by Correspondent
05/02/2023
20

...

December 2016
M T W T F S S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031  
« Nov   Jan »

The Online Citizen is a regional online publication based in Taiwan and formerly Singapore’s longest-running independent online media platform.

Navigation

  • Editorial
  • Commentaries
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • Community

Support

  • Contact Us
  • Letter submission
  • Membership subscription

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Fact Checking Policy
  • Privacy Policy

© 2022 - 2023 The Online Citizen Asia

No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Civil Society
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
  • Politics
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Subscribers login

© 2022 - 2023 The Online Citizen Asia

wpDiscuz