Everything About ‘Quick Build Dorms’: New Dormitories Built Near HDB Estates

When Covid-19 struck Singapore, migrant workers living in dormitories were dragged into the limelight.

Unsanitary practices and cramped living conditions led to the rampant spread of the coronavirus among the dormitories, and they accounted for more than 94% of Singapore’s 57,849 Covid-19 cases.

The Singapore government responded quickly, first by setting up FAST teams to cater to the well-being of the migrant workers in dormitories and coming up with plans to deal with the density issue.

Back in Jun 2020, the Singapore government announced that they’ll be building “Quick Build Dormitories (QBD)” for migrant workers in Singapore.

Temporary Structures

The purpose of the QBDs is to alleviate the density issue for migrant workers’ dormitories.

Lawrence Wong, the face of Singapore’s battle against Covid-19, said that these “semi-permanent structures” can be put together relatively quickly and last for two to three years.

There are 8 such QBDs in Singapore:

• Kranji Way
• Tuas Crescent
• Tuas South Boulevard
• Jalan Tukang (Jurong)
• Admiralty Street
• Choa Chu Kang Grove
• Choa Chu Kang Way
• Tampines Industrial Ave 2

In total, these temporary housing can accommodate 25,000 workers.

At Least Two Completed

Well, seems like when a well-known minister says “relatively quickly”, he means it.

It’s only been 4 months since his announcement but now, migrant workers are already being moved into at least two of such facilities, according to The Straits Times.

Westlite Accommodation, a subsidiary of dorm operator Centurion Corporation, is reportedly operating four of the eight QBDs and has the right to manage up to 6,400 bed spaces for three years.

Rental, which Westlie Accommodation can set, must also be “fair and reasonable” according to tender documents.

Facilities

Each room within the QBDs must only have a maximum of 10 beds, with a 1-metre safe-distancing between them.

This is a room at the QBD in Choa Chu Kang Grove.

Other standards being put in place is to get fewer residents to share common areas like toilets, bathrooms, and sick bays.

According to the website of Westlie Kranji Way, they have 5-bed apartments with an attached toilet for the workers.

Sweet.

Other than reducing the density of migrant workers living in dormitories, these QBDs also trial improvements before they’re implemented at more permanent purpose-built dormitories.

Experts are also lauding the shorter leases of two to three years.

As long as it’s implemented correctly, it can allow the government to quickly raise the standards of dormitory workers (read: can kick within two to three years) and prevent overcharging (due to excess bed spaces).

Controversy

When the Singapore government announced their intention of building QBDs to temporarily house migrant workers, they warned that these dormitories might have to be built near HDB estates.

And the internet exploded.

Some netizens were demanding that the government build dormitories at high-end areas like Orchard Road, asking for compensation for the “loss in value of their properties”, and worrying for the safety of their children.

Which probably explains why Choa Chu Kang GRC MP Don Wee decided to explain it all to his residents in a Facebook post.

CCK Grove QBD

In a Facebook post on 19 Sep 2020, CCK MP Don Wee explains how the temporary dormitory at Choa Chu Kang Grove works and why residents will be kept safe.

Explaining the reasoning behind building this facility (to contain Covid-19), he said that the facility will be in operation for three years.

Residents will be kept safe, and workers staying within the dormitories have to obey strict rules which keep them from mingling with the local community, or even among themselves.

Currently, the workers are only allowed to leave the dormitory for work.

The QBD will be guarded “24/7” by security and employers must provide transport for workers to and from the dormitory.

In addition, he also pointed out that the dormitory is practically a self-sustaining facility with a minimart, barbershop, and even a self-serve kiosk for remittance service.

The facility also has a big enough pick-up and drop-off zone so that buses won’t clog up the roads during the mornings and evenings.

You can view his full post below:

All in all, if you’re impressed with the way the CCK QBD is being operated, changes are, the seven other facilities in Singapore will operate the same way too.