Malaysian workers staying in Singapore matched with temporary housing for 14 days
The government will also provide $50 for each worker per day for 14 days, to help employers that may incur extra costs due to Malaysia’s new measures against the spread of COVID-19.
With Malaysia’s announcement on lockdown, Manpower Minister Josephine Teo said around 10,000 Malaysian workers who decided to stay in Singapore have been matched with temporary accommodations, including hotels, dormitories as well as HDB flats and private residential properties. reported Today.
As a temporary and short-term move, the government will also provide $50 for each worker per day, capped at 14 days, to help employers that may incur extra costs due to Malaysia’s new measures against the spread of COVID-19.
“Employers mostly can find the accommodation (for their Malaysian workers) on their own… and by and large, we have enough capacity to help them, so I’m confident that all their needs will be met,” she said during the COVID-19 ministerial taskforce’s press briefing on Tuesday (17 March).
Earlier on Monday (16 March), Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Muhyiddin Yassin, issued a ban on all Malaysians from leaving and entering the country, as well as barring visitors from entering the country. This will be imposed from 18 – 31 March.
Separately, National Development Minister Lawrence Wong assured the public that Singapore is not exposed to an added risk of the virus spreading due to the arrival of Malaysians, who are trying to beat the lockdown deadline.
This comes as the individuals entering the city-state are “not new people” – they are the same people commuting across the border daily, he explained.
Wong added that the Singapore authorities’ priority now is ensuring these workers have enough accommodation.
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Victor Kang, Digital Content Specialist at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email victorkang@propertyguru.com.sg