S’pore Firms May Seek Government Help To Provide Accommodation For M’sian Workers, Says Chan Chun Sing

Agencies Working With Hotel And Dormitory Operators To Provide Accommodation For Companies’ Employees

On Monday (16 Mar) night, Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced that the country will be going into lockdown for 2 weeks from Wednesday (18 Mar).

This will likely have a huge impact on Singapore companies, especially those with employees who travel from Malaysia every day.

In light of the new development, Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing said during a doorstep interview on Tuesday (17 Mar) that these companies can seek help from government bodies to provide short-term accommodation for their staff.

Firms worried about finding short-term accommodation for workers

During the press conference, Mr Chan said many Singapore companies are feeling anxious after PM Muhyiddin’s announcement yesterday.

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In particular, these firms are worried about how to provide short-term accommodation for their Malaysian workers who wish to stay here during the lockdown.

On Tuesday (17 Mar), Mr Chan told the media that Singapore’s economic agencies will be working with “companies’ dormitory operators and hotels” to provide firms with “options”.

Hence, companies who need help can get in touch with these agencies and work with their trade associations.

Mr Chan also touched on other issues, such as food availability during the interview.

Special arrangement for work pass holders will still be best

We’re glad that the agencies are helping companies find a solution to the accommodation problem that has surfaced as a result of the lockdown.

Better still, we hope the Singaporean and Malaysian government can make special arrangement for Singapore Work Pass holders from Malaysia.

After all, around 400,000 workers commute to and fro Malaysia daily via land crossings alone.  Finding accommodation for all of them in just 1 day is going to be an extremely challenging task.

Featured image adapted from YouTube.