200 workers housed in overcrowded dorm in Sengkang condo worksite; Manpower Ministry investigating

Over 200 workers are living in the dormitory located in the basement carpark of an under-construction condominium, the Chinese daily reported on Tuesday. Some of the affected foreign workers in an interview with a reporter from the daily. - PHOTO: SH
Over 200 workers are living in the dormitory located in the basement carpark of an under-construction condominium, the Chinese daily reported on Tuesday. Some of the affected foreign workers in an interview with a reporter from the daily. - PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS  

SINGAPORE - Dark, damp and smelly - that's how a 22-year-old foreign worker from China described his dormitory at a Sengkang condominium worksite.

Mr Wang Zhu Qi told Chinese evening newspaper Shin Min Daily News that he started work at the site in April, along with 10 others.

Over 200 workers are living in the dormitory located in the basement carpark of an under-construction condominium, the Chinese daily reported on Tuesday.

The makeshift rooms were partitioned using wooden boards, and Mr Wang said that each room housed more than 20 workers. The area was also infested with mosquitoes and rats, he added.

Mr Wang said that they have lodged a complaint with the Manpower Ministry (MOM).

A MOM spokesman confirmed the incident and initial investigations showed that there was overcrowding at the dormitory.

The spokesman said the ministry took a serious view of the case and was investigating.

kchitra@sph.com.sg

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