Singapore-JB Causeway

In light of neighbouring Malaysia’s lockdown and travel restrictions, the Singapore government will be stepping up to make available some short-term accommodation options for Malaysian workers who wish to stay in Singapore during their country’s movement control order period.

This morning, Minister of Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing made this assurance in a doorstop interview on Tuesday (17 March) as he talked about how Singapore has plans to deal with disruption in food supplies from Malaysia due to the country’s lockdown which was announced last night.

Mr Chan said that employers have asked if they can provide temporary accommodation for their Malaysian workers in Singapore who are affected by the lockdown. He explained that economic agencies are working with hotels and dormitories to provide options for these workers, adding that companies should reach out to their trade association for assistance for support.

He said, “Let me address the issue of the Malaysian workers. Since last night, many employers are enquiring if they can provide temporary accommodation in Singapore for their Malaysian workers who may wish to stay here during this period. Our economic agencies are working with the companies, dormitory operators and hotels to provide options for the companies so companies who need help for their workers’ accommodation can contact our economic agencies and also work with their trade associations.”

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) also released a statement today, saying that companies can encourage their affected workers to stay with friends, relatives or colleagues who are willing to accommodate them for a short time.

“This may be the option most amenable to some workers,” said MOM.

For those who do not have that option, the government is collaborating with private and public sector companies and agencies to provide options for these workers, including hotels, dormitories, and other accommodations like rooms and whole units in Housing and Development Board (HDB) properties as well as private residential properties.

The ministry advised employers to “assess their manpower needs carefully and make a considered decision as to whether they need their affected workers to remain in Singapore.”

“In providing assistance, we will prioritise the needs of firms that provide essential services such as healthcare, security, cleaning, waste management, facilities management, logistics and transport,” added MOM.

The statement went on to explain that the government is also looking into providing financial assistance for companies that have to urgently accommodate workers affected by the restrictions, adding that further details will be released shortly.

“The Government will also be working with the hotel/dormitory providers on providing lower-cost rentals,” said MOM.

“Our objective is to minimise any impact on the delivery of services for our people.”

About 300,000 people travel between Singapore and Malaysia daily via the Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints said National Development Minister Lawrence Wong in a press briefing on Sunday (15 March). There is also generally higher traffic at both land crossings during school holidays.

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
You May Also Like

COVID-19: Online users slam Singaporean who visited SAFRA Punggol after quarantine ended, tested positive later that day

According to a statement released by the Ministry of Health (MOH) on…

1379元是否够用? 人力部辩称:依据实际开销计算公积金入息

两个月前,李光耀李光耀公共政策学院(LKYSPP)研究小组,发表《新加坡年长者需要:家庭预算报告》,评估认为65岁以上的单身国民,每月至少需要1379元才能满足其基本需求。 对于上述研究,人力部并未表态,是否赞同1379元才足够开销;而根据7月8日,刊登于《海峡时报》的报导,人力部似乎为自己辩护,指公积金终身入息计划(CPF LIFE)下的支付金额,乃是采用不同的方式计算。 研究小组报告认为,65岁以上单身年长者,每月需1379元才能满足家庭预算中的基本需求、65岁及以上的年长夫妇则需2351元、55岁至65岁的人士每月则需要1721元。而这还是假定他们健康良好的情况下。 小组报告收集约100名不同背景参与者的意见,且采用基于共识的最低薪资制(MIS),参与者列举出他们认为属于基本需求的物品和服务,也基于集体共识把这些必须品纳入清单内。 清单中包括了个人护理用品、休闲和文化活动等,而参与者一致认为达成基本需求比勉强过活重要。随后家庭预算也就依据这从清单中整合统计出来。 黄国和助理教授指出,这种收入标准,可协助把人们的社会价值观和实际经验,转化为较为明确和实质性基准,供政策规划。 人力部:会员应根据收入规划退休 不过,对于上述研究成果和对未来政策改革提供参照的努力,人力部似乎不太买账,反之辩称,公积金局自有一套方式,来计算65以上国人的公积金入息支付金额。 我国人力部收入保障政策司退休事务部主任Shaun Goh,评论有关研究“对个人目标设定和退休计划有用”,然而她指出,研究所使用的方法,与政府根据公积金终身入息计划所得出的支付金额,有根本上的不同。 她也没有表态,人力部是否同意有关的1379元为年长者要求的基准金额建议。…