MOM to improve standards of around 1,000 migrant worker dormitories

By 2030, each resident in a dormitory must have 3.6 sqm of living space. 

By 2030,  around 1,000 existing Purpose-Built Dormitories (PBDs) and Factory Converted Dormitories (FCDs) will be adhering to the improved interim standards under the Dormitory Transition Scheme (DTS).

According to the Ministry of Manpower, “the DTS will strengthen public health resilience in migrant worker (MW) dormitories against future disease outbreaks.”

Under the DTS, dormitories will only be allowed to have less than 12 residents per room, and beds should have more than one-metre spacing between each other.

Previously, there was no maximum resident per room and requirement for spacing between beds. 

The DTS also indicates that each resident in the dormitories must have at least 3.6 sqm of living space, a slight adjustment from the previous 3.5 sqm.

“The vast majority of eligible dormitories will progressively transit to the interim standards between 2027 and 2030, with a few large dormitories assessed to have higher public health risks transiting earlier,” the MOM said.

“ Such an approach will ensure that there are sufficient dormitory beds to meet employers’ needs even as the transition takes place. Dormitory operators will also be expected to put in place plans to minimise disruption to MW residents while retrofitting works are being undertaken,” the ministry added.

By 2040, the dormitories will need to adhere to New Dormitory Standards (NDS) which require a lower than 12 residents per room, more than 1m spacing between beds, and at least 4.2 sqm of living space per resident.