Spotlight on lack of rest areas for workers

Improving facilities key to making jobs such as cleaning more appealing: Industry players

AIR-CON COMFORT Madam Lim Kwee Choo, who cleans restrooms and offices in The JTC Summit in Jurong, in an air-conditioned rest area at JTC headquarters where she can sit, relax and chat with her colleagues during her hour-long lunch breaks. The space
AIR-CON COMFORT Madam Lim Kwee Choo, who cleans restrooms and offices in The JTC Summit in Jurong, in an air-conditioned rest area at JTC headquarters where she can sit, relax and chat with her colleagues during her hour-long lunch breaks. The space was created in 2015 out of a storage area. "Before, we had to find a place to sit, like staircases. It's much more comfortable now," she said. ST PHOTO: TIMOTHY DAVID
BREAK IN A BIN A bin centre was the best rest area which a cleaning supervisor, who gave his name as Mr Ramli, could find for himself and his six workers at a West Coast condominium. They have improved it by adding a fridge, washing machine and perso
BREAK IN A BIN A bin centre was the best rest area which a cleaning supervisor, who gave his name as Mr Ramli, could find for himself and his six workers at a West Coast condominium. They have improved it by adding a fridge, washing machine and personal items.
GREEN GUARDHOUSE Security officer Lau Joo Lam, 67, has a sturdy guardhouse at the school where he works in the east of Singapore. He has turned the grass patch in front of his post into a garden, growing plants such as lemongrass, papaya, lady's fing
'REST ROOM' At a mall in the north of Singapore, cleaners have a small area the size of a toilet cubicle next to the restrooms where they can rest on a stool. A 45-year-old cleaner who gave her name as Madam Siti said she usually rests there so that she can respond quickly if anything happens in the restroom. During lunch, she may go to the storeroom in the carpark, where there are chairs and a table and she can rest her head.
BREAK IN A BIN A bin centre was the best rest area which a cleaning supervisor, who gave his name as Mr Ramli, could find for himself and his six workers at a West Coast condominium. They have improved it by adding a fridge, washing machine and perso
GREEN GUARDHOUSE Security officer Lau Joo Lam, 67, has a sturdy guardhouse at the school where he works in the east of Singapore. He has turned the grass patch in front of his post into a garden, growing plants such as lemongrass, papaya, lady's finger, pandan and bay leaf. When he is on his break, he finds a quiet corner in the school to sit down.
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A calendar, several clocks, a Cookie Monster toy and a photo of a friend hang on the walls of a bin centre in a West Coast condominium.

The bin centre also has an old but functioning fridge and a washing machine, picked out from items thrown away by residents.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 13, 2019, with the headline Spotlight on lack of rest areas for workers. Subscribe