Company dorm provides better living conditions for workers

By Cheryl Tay

Amid recent reports that foreign workers have to endure poor living conditions, engineering company Sing Moh Electrical Engineering has set up a well-equipped workers' dormitory at Tagore Lane.

The dormitory provides 150 employees Wi-Fi connection, a rooftop area, televisions, dryers and washing machines for free. They only have to pay for their meals.

Sing Moh's decision to spend S$3.5 million on the land and building was made after complaints from their workers that the old dormitories where they stayed were overcrowded and dirty.

The move has also benefited the company, as transporting the workers to and from India was a logistical nightmare.

According to Kenneth Teo, Director at Sing Moh, the expenditure was a wise investment as their workers are now "happier and more productive."

"We operate the dorm, so we can set strict rules and get the workers to follow them. This ensures the dorm is clean and tidy. The senior workers are in charge of reminding the other workers that they must not eat in their rooms."

He added that the company also organises celebrations at the dorm during occasions such as Deepavali and Chinese New Year. Workers are thankful for the improved living conditions they now enjoy.

"The dorm is clean and comfortable. I can rest well at night and work hard the next day," said Pulikuttiya Pillai Srinivasan, 41.

Ravuthayan Vasan, 31, said, "I used to work in Malaysia and the dorm there had cockroaches and the toilets were dirty. The dorm here is very nice. I am happy here."

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