No to foreign worker dorm - SGClub Forums

**lenore** · 02-09-2008, 10:18 PM

FOREIGN workers? Not in our neighbourhood.

More than 600 residents of Serangoon Gardens, a private estate in the north-east, have signed a petition against converting an unused school there into a dormitory for foreign workers.

The Ministry of National Development (MND) confirmed that it is assessing whether Serangoon Gardens Technical School can be converted into quarters for foreign workers, although no decision has been made yet.

The school in Burghley Road has been vacant for about four years and can possibly house 1,000 workers.

When residents of the estate, which has more than 2,000 homes, heard the news earlier this week, a petition was started by the residents' committee asking the authorities to reconsider.

The one-page petition said the move would 'create security and social problems and spoil the ambience of the estate'.

'I signed the petition immediately and got 80 of my friends to sign it too,' said retired teacher S. Raja, 69.

MP for Aljunied GRC Lim Hwee Hua said it is 'good that residents are speaking out with an interest' on the issue and encouraged them to give their feedback, which she would convey to MND.

The residents will be meeting Mrs Lim and fellow MP George Yeo, the Foreign Minister, today (wed) as part of a dialogue series and will raise the issue.

Especially concerned are the residents who live opposite the former school.

They said that security was their main worry. Many were afraid that their maids might befriend the foreign workers and invite them into their houses while they are out.

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking...ry_274509.html

**Shi Yuen** · 03-09-2008, 10:15 AM

we need more of these people.
who will stand up to defend what they value most.

**PinkLady** · 03-09-2008, 03:34 PM

these foreign workers are noisy and dirty. anyhow throw rubbish and look at woman like they r not wearing anythin

**Voodoo Vince** · 03-09-2008, 06:42 PM

Ministry seeks residents' understanding on workers' dorm
By Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 03 September 2008 1410 hrs

SINGAPORE: The National Development Ministry has said the location of temporary dormitories is limited by the available choices of vacant state buildings.

Serangoon Gardens housing estate (TODAY's photo)

It tries to avoid housing foreign workers in residential areas and seeks residents' understanding and support if some dormitories are located near their homes.

The ministry said this in response to Channel NewsAsia's query after residents of Serangoon Gardens expressed unhappiness that a vacant school in the estate may be converted into a foreign workers' dormitory.

Since last week, a petition has been making the rounds in the quiet neighbourhood. So far, over 500 residents in the private estate have signed the petition.

They are against turning the vacant school building on Burghley Drive into a temporary dormitory to house about 1,500 foreign workers and plan to raise this issue with their MPs on Wednesday during a dialogue session.

If approval is given and the plan goes ahead, the dormitory is likely to be a self-contained community, with shops and other social amenities. Authorities said this would minimise the impact on the neighbourhood.

However, residents are unlikely to be convinced, many of whom live just across the road. Traffic congestion and security are among their concerns.

One resident said: "Most of my neighbours are very old and they live alone. So security is a big issue if they house it here."

Another resident said: "It would be a disaster here. Thousand-over workers, can you imagine?"

Residents are hopeful that the authorities will take heed of their views.

MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, Lim Hwee Hua, said: I'm not surprised by the reaction, and I think the concerns raised are valid. What I'll do is look at the feedback, add my own views as an MP looking after the area."

Mrs Lim added: "The social issues are a little trickier. Obviously, you can't expect the foreign workers to be just confined to the site itself. So if they're housed there, they'll be coming out onto the park space, and mixing with the residents.

"This is not a problem by itself, but I think the residents are thinking of the social aspects, such as whether there'll be the wrong kind of relationships formed between the domestic helpers and them. These are harder to address but they are concerns we should listen to."

The authorities said they are still reviewing the suitability of the site and no decision has been made yet. - CNA/vm

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...373482/1/.html

**xiao pi gu** · 03-09-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PinkLady

these foreign workers are noisy and dirty. anyhow throw rubbish and look at woman like they r not wearing anythin

that is not true you know.... the nature of my work sometimes brought me to close contacts with various bangladeshi, thai and tamil workers.. They washed their hands for like 15 min with detergent before meals.. and they are respectful towards people and all. regarding gawking at girls, im sure local guys do that alot too. let us not catagorize them like that.. let us not make their lives any harder than they already are.

**xiao pi gu** · 03-09-2008, 07:25 PM

This is ridiculous.. this is really elitism at its zenith. what kind of social and security problems will these people create? just because they live there means they will commit crimes there? Just because they are foreign workers doesnt mean they dun understand the theory of not shitting in our own backyard. social problems will arise because they stay in the vicinity?? As opposed to social problems not arising in vicinities away from their lodging because workers do not have the abilities to travel around?

Look up the news.. how many crimes are perpetrated by foreign workers and how many are perpetrated by locals? We don't really see much news of 'social problems' in industrial areas that house foreign workers do we? Nope i don't think so... No wait.. could it be that as long as they are well hidden from sight, there will not be social problems?

And this phrase really made my bullshit detector went *ding dong ding dong*...'spoil the ambience of the estate'.. What ambience is he/she talking about? the rich and almighty ambience? Reality check time.. the big and comfy landed houses didnt build themselves. the foreign workers' blood and sweat might be in the conrcrete mixed that is now the nice fengshui fountain perhaps?

Many were afraid that that the maids will befriend the workers and invite them into their house???? i sincerely think that stopping the foreign workers from staying there is not the permanant solution to making the maids less horny.

Give the foreign workers a chance. Don't make their lives any harder than they already are.

**Beanman** · 03-09-2008, 08:49 PM

heng not jurong as jurong de bangala ald alot until i wan to get mad ald

***StarDust*** · 04-09-2008, 06:17 AM

Residents air dorm fears
Serangoon Gardens folk get assurance their worries will be looked into
By Melissa Sim

Serangoon Gardens residents at a two-hour dialogue with Aljunied GRC MPs George Yeo (with microphone) and Lim Hwee Hua last night. They expressed worries about a plan to house foreign workers in their neighbourhood. -- ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN

FOR some time now, Serangoon Gardens resident Kelvin - he did not want his full name used - has been trying to find housing for his firm's foreign workers, with little luck.

So when he found out that the former Serangoon Gardens Technical School might be converted into a foreign worker dormitory, the 38-year-old, who is in the construction business, went into a tizzy.

The reason: The proposed dorm is next to his home, and there is no way, he says, he is willing to accept 'half-naked men' sitting in his neck of the woods.

Last night, Kelvin and about 250 other indignant residents of the firmly middle-class neighbourhood trudged through the rain to make their views known to their Members of Parliament from Aljunied GRC, Mr George Yeo and Ms Lim Hwee Hua.

At a two-hour dialogue, held under a marquee at a park along Chartwell Drive, the residents listed their objections to the proposed move, with some barely able to disguise their anger over it.

Their key worries: Security, traffic congestion caused by vehicles which will ferry the foreign workers to their worksites, and insufficient infrastructure in the area to support over 1,000 new residents.

Madam Lim Chor Yeow, 71, a retired teacher, echoed a view of many when she asked: 'If we have workers coming in here, is it safe for old people?'

Administrative manager Rose Koh, 52, said she would worry about leaving her ageing mother and two young children at home when she left for work.

Others said parks might be overrun by foreign workers. As would buses.

One resident, Mr E.T. Mohan Dass, 60, a programme manager, feared that as foreign workers flood in, the estate's value would go south.

Assuming there were 1,400 households, each worth $1 million, in the estate, he said 'even a 1 per cent drop in asset value (because of the workers' presence) would mean a $14-million loss'. Another, Ms L.S. Lim, 70, urged the authorities to 'think of Singaporeans first'.

Feelings against the dorm plan run high in the estate: A petition against the idea has been started by residents, and has been signed by about 1,400 households so far. There are about 7,000 households in the area.

After hearing their complaints and trying to temper some of their concerns, Mr Yeo and Mrs Lim said they would pass the feedback and petition to the Ministry of National Development.

At the meeting, Mr Yeo said he could understand the residents' position, adding that Serangoon Gardens is a place where 'people feel a lot for the heritage, and we should not upset that'.

But he also asked them not to cast aspersions on foreign workers, as they have 'come to Singapore, and benefit Singapore'. Mrs Lim added that residents' security will be taken into account in the plan.

However, after the dialogue, she admitted to reporters that those living in the estate should have been informed about the plan first-hand, instead of having to read about it in newspapers or get the news from neighbours.

She added that she has been in touch with MND, and is trying to 'bring home the points, the valid concerns that residents have to the minister...'

Mr Yeo also told residents: 'We are not just postmen and women transmitting your views. URA and MND have the final decision, but I assure you we are not doing nothing.'

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking...ry_275042.html

**xiao pi gu** · 04-09-2008, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *StarDust*

Residents air dorm fears
Serangoon Gardens folk get assurance their worries will be looked into
By Melissa Sim

Serangoon Gardens residents at a two-hour dialogue with Aljunied GRC MPs George Yeo (with microphone) and Lim Hwee Hua last night. They expressed worries about a plan to house foreign workers in their neighbourhood. -- ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN

FOR some time now, Serangoon Gardens resident Kelvin - he did not want his full name used - has been trying to find housing for his firm's foreign workers, with little luck.

So when he found out that the former Serangoon Gardens Technical School might be converted into a foreign worker dormitory, the 38-year-old, who is in the construction business, went into a tizzy.

The reason: The proposed dorm is next to his home, and there is no way, he says, he is willing to accept 'half-naked men' sitting in his neck of the woods.

Last night, Kelvin and about 250 other indignant residents of the firmly middle-class neighbourhood trudged through the rain to make their views known to their Members of Parliament from Aljunied GRC, Mr George Yeo and Ms Lim Hwee Hua.

At a two-hour dialogue, held under a marquee at a park along Chartwell Drive, the residents listed their objections to the proposed move, with some barely able to disguise their anger over it.

Their key worries: Security, traffic congestion caused by vehicles which will ferry the foreign workers to their worksites, and insufficient infrastructure in the area to support over 1,000 new residents.

Madam Lim Chor Yeow, 71, a retired teacher, echoed a view of many when she asked: 'If we have workers coming in here, is it safe for old people?'

Administrative manager Rose Koh, 52, said she would worry about leaving her ageing mother and two young children at home when she left for work.

Others said parks might be overrun by foreign workers. As would buses.

One resident, Mr E.T. Mohan Dass, 60, a programme manager, feared that as foreign workers flood in, the estate's value would go south.

Assuming there were 1,400 households, each worth $1 million, in the estate, he said 'even a 1 per cent drop in asset value (because of the workers' presence) would mean a $14-million loss'. Another, Ms L.S. Lim, 70, urged the authorities to 'think of Singaporeans first'.

Feelings against the dorm plan run high in the estate: A petition against the idea has been started by residents, and has been signed by about 1,400 households so far. There are about 7,000 households in the area.

After hearing their complaints and trying to temper some of their concerns, Mr Yeo and Mrs Lim said they would pass the feedback and petition to the Ministry of National Development.

At the meeting, Mr Yeo said he could understand the residents' position, adding that Serangoon Gardens is a place where 'people feel a lot for the heritage, and we should not upset that'.

But he also asked them not to cast aspersions on foreign workers, as they have 'come to Singapore, and benefit Singapore'. Mrs Lim added that residents' security will be taken into account in the plan.

However, after the dialogue, she admitted to reporters that those living in the estate should have been informed about the plan first-hand, instead of having to read about it in newspapers or get the news from neighbours.

She added that she has been in touch with MND, and is trying to 'bring home the points, the valid concerns that residents have to the minister...'

Mr Yeo also told residents: 'We are not just postmen and women transmitting your views. URA and MND have the final decision, but I assure you we are not doing nothing.'

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking...ry_275042.html

this is sad

**lenore** · 05-09-2008, 08:13 AM

A DORMITORY for foreign workers may be half a kilometre away, but its problems could still end up on the doorsteps of its neighbours.
In residential areas like Jalan Kayu and Jurong, where foreign-worker dorms have sprung up, littering, loitering and rowdy behaviour are some of the problems residents have had to put up with.

And as more foreigners arrive to work in industries such as construction, where they will live will become a contentious issue.

Early this week, residents in Serangoon Gardens banded together to petition against housing workers in a former school in the neighbourhood.

Though complaints have subsided in Jalan Kayu, where two dorms housing 6,000 workers were built three years ago, some residents say that the problems never really go away.

Neighbourhood committee chairman Terry Fong remembers how there was a barrage of complaints from residents when the dorms went up.

Mostly, they were about Indian and Bangladeshi workers dirtying the neighbourhood by littering and spitting. But there were also concerns about safety as workers had a tendency to loiter in big groups and become drunk and rowdy.

Knowing that something had to be done, the committee roped in several foreign workers late last year to participate in regular patrols around the neighbourhood with the police and local residents.

They were mentors to their peers, helping them understand the laws and social norms of where they lived, said Mr Fong.

There are fewer complaints now, and it is partly a result of getting workers directly involved in security, he felt.

'The majority say it is good that we have this programme, but it is something we have to keep working at,' he said.

The same problems may also plague Serangoon Gardens, if preliminary plans to convert a former school into a workers' dorm go through. Serangoon Gardens Technical School, a proposed site, is less than 10m away from the nearest house along Burghley Drive.

It made headlines this week when residents rallied against the idea. About 1,400 signed a petition, which was handed to Aljunied GRC MPs George Yeo and Lim Hwee Hua on Wednesday.

The Ministry of National Development (MND) confirmed yesterday that the school is just 'one among the sites being studied, and there is no decision to proceed yet'.

But it also noted that the growing number of workers meant that buildings such as the unused Serangoon Gardens school would be needed to meet the housing needs. 'Many state buildings, by their nature, are located in accessible areas. So some are likely to be within or near residential areas,' said the MND.

It was a reiteration of a response made earlier this year to Parliament by Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan that, given the constraints of land, foreign workers' dorms would eventually be near residential areas.

The Straits Times checked the location of 20 dorms and found that seven were less than 600m away from an apartment block. Dorm operators who spoke to The Straits Times felt that even this distance was too close.

Mr Eric Yeoh, a director of the Ama Keng Hostel in Lim Chu Kang, said a dorm near residents would bring about 'a lot of complaints for sure'.

Another dorm operator said the situation was 'asking for trouble'. The unnamed manager said workers often hung out in groups, and would spit and litter, which people here find unacceptable.

'The workers have had these habits for 20 to 30 years, so it's hard for them to change within a short time,' he said.

In Jurong West Street 61, residents of Block 651A have to deal with boisterous workers converging on their void deck.

The nearest dorm, Blue Stars, is about a 15-minute walk away.

While workers raise their glasses and blast music from their MP3 players, residents keep their windows closed and call the police in to disperse the rowdy crowd. This happens every night.

On weekends, the party goes on till 2am, said residents. When they return to their dorms, they leave a mess behind.

'On Monday morning, there will be bottles lying around, food packets and wrappers. I can even smell urine,' said block resident Ng Hui Ying, 32, a manager who has lived there for six years.

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking...ry_275439.html

**Shi Yuen** · 05-09-2008, 10:05 AM

Hai.
Guess the goverment need to step up on controlling the foregin workers staying in dorms.
maybe make the dorms with stores downstairs,etc.

**PinkLady** · 05-09-2008, 11:24 AM

no use de, dats wat they like to do talk and drink make merry with big grp of friends sitting on the floor, and making a big mess

**coldblood80** · 05-09-2008, 11:25 AM

if really serangoon garden tech becomes dorm.... sighz.... i don't wanna go garden or CC to eat liao

**Voodoo Vince** · 08-09-2008, 04:16 PM

FM George Yeo says townships for foreign workers being considered
By Margaret Perry, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 07 September 2008 2204 hrs

SINGAPORE: The Ministry of National Development (MND) is "seriously considering how to create townships for foreign workers which are sustainable and self-contained", Foreign Minister George Yeo told reporters at a community event on Sunday.

Foreign workers came under the spot light after an announcement of plans to turn the former Serangoon Gardens Technical School in Burghley Drive into a hostel for 1,000 foreign workers. This created an uproar in the middle-class Serangoon Gardens estate, with some residents signing a petition against the change.

Mr Yeo, who is an MP for Aljunied GRC where the estate is located, said that he welcomed the debate over the proposed dormitory.

He said that on the one hand, there are legitimate concerns about whether a large community of foreign workers living next door can cause problems, while on the other, Singaporeans must open their hearts to them because they contribute to Singapore's economy.

Mr Yeo added that fellow Aljunied GRC MP Mrs Lim Hwee Hua is writing a letter to the Minister of National Development airing residents' concerns.

He said: "We have to find a balance and we have to create better facilities for foreign workers so that they can get cheaper access to food, to shops, they can have their own places for recreation and so on.

"These, I believe, are ideas which MND is seriously considering - how to create townships for foreign workers which are sustainable and self-contained."

Mr Yeo said a good masterplan is needed to determine how many foreigners Singapore can accommodate so it is "comfortable for both sides".

He said he has visited friends in Little India who are no longer able to use their void decks on Sundays because they are filled with foreign workers.

Mr Yeo said: "We hope we can find ways and means to accommodate foreign workers in a friendly, sensible way, while at the same time preserving certain comfortable spaces for Singaporeans."

- CNA/ir

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...374338/1/.html

**Voodoo Vince** · 10-09-2008, 07:28 PM

Townships for foreign workers could house up to 20,000 under one roof
By Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 10 September 2008 1855 hrs

SINGAPORE: The idea of a township for foreign workers had taken off in places like the Middle East, where dormitories for foreign workers, which are sustainable and self-contained, are said to house more than 100,000 people.

In Singapore, dormitory operators said this idea could take off given the acute shortage of foreign workers' housing.

There are 756,000 foreign workers in Singapore in 2006, with a higher number during the construction boom. Most of the workers live in 36 permanent commercially-run dormitories and 18 industrial or warehouse developments.

To meet the shortage in dormitories, the Government said it will be releasing 65,000 more bed spaces in 11 new dormitory sites by 2010.

The concept of foreign worker townships is new in Singapore but self-contained dormitories had sprung up, like one at Penjuru Place in the Western part of Singapore, which houses 6,000 foreign workers.

The Penjuru Dorm has a canteen, a minimart and even a wet market. For recreation, there is an exercise corner and a space for the workers to play a game of sepak takraw. Cable TV is also available in the flats.

Each unit is the size of a 2-room HDB flat and comes equipped with a bedroom, a living area, a kitchen and toilets. Housing is paid for by the workers' employers and can cost about S$180 per person per month.

Dormitory operators said townships will be similar to this, but on a much larger scale.

Director of Mini Environment Services Pte Ltd, Mohd Jinna, said, "We will be able to handle 18 to 20,000 workers in one location, with segments of maybe four dormitories."

"There will be a cinema theater, shopping centre, (and) minimarts. We (will) have a beer garden for these workers to consume their liquor in (the) house rather than going out to disturb the residents."

But with such a big township, security would be an issue.

At the Penjuru Dorm, foreign workers are housed in 2 sections of 3,000 units each for better crowd control.

Workers are also given biometric passes to move in and out of their quarters.

A group of these workers had even partnered government agencies like the Singapore Police Force and the National Environment Agency, as well as the nearby Teban Garden estate’s Residents' Committee to form a patrol group.

The group of 10 foreign workers call themselves the "Kampong Spirit". They conduct walkabouts around the nearby housing estates on weekends every fortnight.

One such foreign worker, Nathan Neduzcheliyan, said, "When we go for the patrolling, we advise the workers. (If) they (are) sitting under the block, talking loudly, drinking, we go advise the people - don't do this. All try to cooperate with everybody. Don't disturb other people."

Property manager of Mini Environment Services Pte Ltd, Jimmy Wee, said, "Workers are involved because sometimes Singaporeans do not talk the foreign workers' lingo."

The company said residents' complaints against the foreign workers had dropped since the patrol initiative was introduced a year ago.

But even with such progressive management practices, the question still boils down to whether Singaporeans are comfortable with living in close proximity to townships housing these workers.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...374983/1/.html

**Beanman** · 10-09-2008, 08:38 PM

the bangalas muz show that they are not veri loud speaker

***StarDust*** · 11-09-2008, 06:36 AM

Their very own town.

***StarDust*** · 12-09-2008, 06:53 AM

Foreign workers prefer to stay away from residential estates
By Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 11 September 2008 1854 hrs

SINGAPORE : The idea of a self-contained township for foreign workers has been given a thumbs-up by foreign workers themselves. But foreign worker advocates said more should be done to help these workers integrate with the wider community.

Foreign workers in Singapore

Singaporeans who do not want foreign workers living near them cite security concerns and even a downgrade in their property value as reasons.

But are these fears rational? Some foreign workers welfare groups said it is simply a fear of the unknown. That is why they are advocating that foreign workers be integrated with the wider community through a more structured orientation programme.

"I think community centres are a good start. If they are able to do social activities that can involve both migrant workers along with its local community, either through festivals or through sports activities or National Day Parade, it's a good opportunity to bring the two groups together," said Sha Najak, helpline manager at Transient Workers Count Too.

She added that current orientation roadshows may be a little too top-down in approach.

But some foreign workers said they are quite happy to live among themselves, away from housing estates.

"Wherever the dormitories, if it is away from the residents, it's better because when it's very near to the residents' area, the workers have to go to the same FairPrice supermarket, or ... canteen, they might misunderstand each other," said Keve Xavier, a foreign worker.

But others said they would like to get to know Singaporeans better to ease misunderstandings.

"Really, we feel shame too (when) the people go and disrupt everybody, and nobody likes to stay with those people," said Nathan Neduzcheliyan, also a foreign worker.

"We want to establish a good relationship between the Singaporeans and workers," said foreign worker Humayun Kabeer.

Responding to Channel NewsAsia, the People's Association said some grassroots organisations have engaged foreign workers through ad-hoc programmes aimed at helping them integrate into the community.

The government has said that more Singaporeans will find themselves living in the midst of foreign workers as Singapore expands.

While no solution has been reached yet for residents of Serangoon Gardens, the National Development Ministry is looking into the issue and is expected to respond soon. - CNA /ls

Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...375245/1/.html

**Ray Ang** · 12-09-2008, 07:29 AM

i dun like the ideas of residing the foreign workers with the singaporeans as it will face many problems in future

**enirtep** · 12-09-2008, 04:53 PM

erm.... ok.... actually im ok with having foreign workers in singapore. but then... not TOO MANYYYY! singapore is already sooooooo dense with more foreigners here its like.... overcrowded!! but yeah... i know its not related to the topic..