Dormitories for some 200,000 migrant workers to benefit from $100m retrofitting grant

SINGAPORE - Dormitory operators that house some 200,000 migrant workers are expected to receive more than $100 million of government funding to defray the cost of enhancing the liveability of about 900 existing dormitories to

meet stricter requirements.

On Jan 17, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng unveiled details of the grant under the Dormitory Transition Scheme (DTS), announced in 2023, for select retrofitting works to improve the living conditions of foreign workers.

The living conditions of migrant workers came under intense scrutiny following the massive outbreak of Covid-19 infections in foreign workers’ living quarters in 2020.

“Migrant workers play an essential role in building Singapore, as they construct our homes and infrastructure, and contribute to our economy,” said Dr Tan at the official opening of the NESST Tukang Dormitory.

It is the first dormitory built by the Manpower Ministry (MOM) that

meets the full New Dormitory Standards (NDS),

announced in September 2021.

But for many years, Singapore’s approach towards housing migrant workers had been focused on meeting basic accommodation needs, he said.

“The Covid-19 pandemic reminded us of the importance of strengthening our dormitory ecosystem. It also underscored our belief that when workers are well-housed and well-cared-for, they are better able to give their best at work, and our society benefits,” he said.

Since the pandemic, the Government has been working closely with industry partners to raise dormitory standards, he said.

For one, the DTS addresses previous shortcomings by setting a cap on the number of residents in each room at 12. There is currently no occupancy cap, and most dormitories have 16 or even more residents sharing one room.

The DTS also ensures en-suite toilets and isolation facilities are provided. A minimum living space of 3.6 sq m per resident has also been specified.

Existing dormitories have until 2030 to meet DTS requirements, which also include enhancements to strengthen infection control.

It is not until 2040 that existing dormitories have to comply with the stricter NDS, which includes other requirements such as setting the minimum living space to at least 4.2 sq m per resident and providing spacing of at least 1m between beds.

“This phased approach will minimise disruption to the dormitory industry, while moving to higher standards as soon as practically possible for public health reasons,” said Dr Tan.

On the grant, Dr Tan said that eligible dormitory operators will receive between $3,000 and $8,800 for each type of retrofitting work completed per unit.

The quantum of funding for each dormitory will be determined by the type and extent of retrofitting works required. The Straits Times understands there is no cap on the maximum funding that an operator can receive for all retrofitting works in one dormitory, as it depends on the extent of works required and whether the works can be completed by 2028 or later.

To encourage operators to make the transition earlier to avoid a bed supply crunch when they rush to retrofit their existing dormitories, those who complete their works by the end of 2028 will be eligible for a higher grant.

For instance, the grant for the installation of a room partition will be $4,200 if completed by 2028, compared with $3,000 if completed between 2029 and 2030. The grant for building a room with an en-suite toilet as an isolation facility will be $12,300 if done by the end of 2028, and reduced to $8,800 if completed in 2029 or 2030.

The MOM will exempt dormitories with leases expiring by 2033 from retrofitting as their remaining lease durations are short.

“Today’s official opening of NESST Tukang Dormitory demonstrates the Government and MOM’s commitment to transform the entire migrant worker landscape by enhancing the lived experiences of migrant workers and ensuring that Singapore will be better prepared for future health crises,” said Dr Tan.

The facility at Tukang Innovation Lane in the western part of Singapore is the first dormitory built and owned by MOM. It is operated by NESST Singapore.

NESST Tukang will house up to 2,400 migrant workers across 210 rooms. As at January 2026, the dormitory is almost fully booked. Full occupancy is expected by May.

It incorporates several first-of-its-kind loft beds designed to minimise sleep disturbance for lower bunk occupants. The rooms are north-south facing with larger windows for more daylight and to improve natural airflow. There are also communal dining spaces on every floor to encourage social interactions and bonding.

Other key features include automated thermal scanners at entry points for the timely detection of unwell residents, as well as wastewater surveillance for early health monitoring.

Other pandemic readiness features include colour-coded access pathways for crowd segregation during a pandemic. Curbless carpark and recreational spaces are also designed to be quickly repurposed to support healthcare operations.

Ms Clarus Chong, assistant vice-president of human resources at NatSteel Holdings, said the company has relocated 480 staff from the Tuas South Dormitory to Tukang Dormitory.

It plans to relocate its remaining 80 migrant workers to Tukang Dormitory, even though the bed rental prices are slightly higher as the living conditions are better and the dormitory is better prepared for any public health crisis. It also expects to save around $20,000 in transportation each month as Tukang Dormitory is closer to NatSteel’s office.

Chinese national Yu Hua Gang, 43, who moved to the Tukang Dormitory in late 2025, is happy to be housed in a better environment. The 43-year-old machine operator at NatSteel Holdings used to stay in a room with 15 other occupants in Tuas South Dormitory after arriving here in 2021.

Dormitory Association of Singapore president Mohamed Fuad Rahman said that operators of smaller dormitories may decide to exit if the costs to meet DTS standards are too high. This is because government funding may not cover the full cost of all retrofitting works.

MOM had said that a total of

six new dormitories with a combined capacity of around 45,000 beds will be built

over the next few years.

The ministry’s second dormitory at Sengkang West began construction on Jan 17 and will operate by the end of 2028. It will be three times the size of Tukang Dormitory with 7,200 beds.