Singapore announces plans to improve lifestyle of migrant workers

Singapore, Dec 15 (PTI) Singapore, recognising the contribution of migrant workers towards multi-billion-dollar developments, has announced improvements to healthcare, accommodation and sport schemes for foreign workers as the manpower-short city-state marked International Migrants Day on Monday.

Manpower Minister Tan See Leng emphasised the importance of appreciating the migrant community's role in Singapore's growth and success.

He expressed gratitude on behalf of all Singaporeans to migrant workers, including domestic workers, for their contributions in building the nation and caring for its people, according to a report by The Straits Times.

“All of you – our migrant workers – can look forward to refreshed facilities and more diverse initiatives, from sports to entertainment and cultural performances, as well as training programmes such as English and digital literacy classes,” The Straits Times quoted Dr Tan as saying.

Singapore depends on migrant workers from South Asia, including India, China and Southeast Asia, over one million of whom are working in labour-intensive construction, marine shipyard and process sectors.

Singapore has made significant progress in the areas of housing, healthcare and recreation since 2021, when a road map to build a more resilient migrant workforce was launched by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Tan pointed out.

Dr Tan highlighted that International Migrants Day in 2025 will be part of the celebrations for SG60, which commemorates Singapore's 60 years of independence.

The minister further announced that more clinics will be added under the Primary Care Plan (PCP), which means shorter travel times, quicker access to help when migrant workers are unwell, and less disruption to their work and rest routines.

The MOM will also create a centralised online portal to help employers enrol their workers in the PCP, Dr Tan said, adding that these changes will be implemented when new PCP anchor operators are appointed from April 2027.

This initiative, which was launched in 2022, includes coverage for a range of medical services, such as unlimited consultations for acute and chronic conditions, annual health screenings, telemedicine, and medication delivery, among others.

In terms of social support for workers, Dr Tan announced that MOM and the Migrant Workers' Centre (MWC) will be merging two volunteer schemes into one unified programme in 2026.

There are currently about 2,000 migrant workers volunteering through MOM's Friends of ACE (Assurance, Care and Engagement Group) programme, and as ambassadors at the MWC, he pointed out. They engage with workers, provide feedback on various issues they face and work with partners to enhance social support for their community, he added.

This will enable MOM and MWC to manage and deploy volunteers more effectively, and to expand outreach to more workers, Dr Tan said, reiterating plans to improve the diversity of offerings to support migrant workers’ social and recreational needs.

These include the appointment of a new consortium headed by Hope Initiative Alliance and the Dormitory Association of Singapore to start operations at Kaki Bukit and Woodlands recreation centres in the coming months.

Addressing the matter of housing, Dr Tan announced the opening of the first government-built dormitory, known as NESST Tukang, which has begun accommodating its first residents ahead of its official opening in January 2026.

Located in the Jurong industrial estate region, this dormitory has a maximum capacity of 2,400 workers and features improvements such as better ventilation, privacy corners, and round-the-clock food access, all based on feedback from the workers themselves, Dr Tan noted.

"This Tukang dormitory sets a new benchmark for safety, for comfort and also for dignity. And we hope that this will inspire the wider industry to improve the standards, so that more workers can benefit in the years ahead," The Straits Times quoted Dr Tan as saying.

Additionally, plans are in place to construct six foreign worker dormitories that will collectively accommodate 45,000 beds over the next few years. The cramped conditions and healthcare access issues that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for these improvements.

Dr Tan acknowledged that these advancements are not solely due to government efforts but also stem from a collaborative partnership with various stakeholders.

On October 5, 2025, a World Mental Health Day event for migrant workers saw participation from around 1,000 individuals in activities, including games and a roadshow.

The year-old CritiCare Fund for Migrant Workers covers critical illnesses like cancer, and those who are unable to afford life-saving treatment. The community fund is to defray their medical bills. PTI GS MPL MPL