Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has stated that Kay Lim Construction & Trading faces charges for housing 60 foreign workers, comprising the company’s own and those from nine other companies, in rat-infested temporary quarters on a construction site located at Commonwealth Avenue/Ghim Moh Link, adding that the place is an “unacceptable” accommodation with “unhygienic living conditions”.
The Ministry said that it also failed to update the accommodation addresses of 20 other foreign workers in the Online Foreign Worker Address Service (OFWAS) between March 2014 and September 2015 who stays in the temporary dormitories at a construction site at Ang Mo Kio Street 44.
The construction company faces 80 charges in total.
Meanwhile, MOM stated that the firm has complied with its order to improve the hygiene and living conditions of all their existing construction site temporary quarters.
The case has been adjourned to April 18.
According to Kay Lim Construction & Trading website, the company has undertaken over $1.7 billion worth of contracts both in the public and private sectors. It has built over 7,000 units of flats under Housing and Development Board (HDB). Its portfolio also includes private condominiums, schools, factories and lift upgrading projects.
Recently, it won the HDB Construction Award for Treelodge@Punggol, HDB’s first eco-precinct project. The residential development incorporates a range of green technologies for effective, energy, water and waste management.
Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower (Work Passes) Regulations, employers are required to provide acceptable accommodation for their foreign workers that comply with various statutory requirements.
Employers who contravene any of the conditions of the work pass can be fined up to S$10,000 and/or imprisoned up to 12 months, for each offence.
Foreign workers who have issues with their living conditions should bring up the matter to the attention of their employers, MOM said. If no improvements are made, foreign workers can then seek advice and assistance from the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) at 65362692 or contact the ministry at 64385122.
Members of the public can also inform the authorities of people who breach the Act, or refer foreign workers in distress to MOM, by calling 6438-5122 or e-mailing [email protected]. All information will be kept strictly confidential.
