TODAY Online : First workers move into Serangoon Gardens dorm

First workers move into Serangoon Gardens dorm

05:55 AM Dec 04, 2009

SINGAPORE - The Serangoon Gardens workers' dormitory will start operations today. MediaCorp understands that about 20 male workers, who will be working in Singapore as hotel staff, are arriving from China and will move into the premises.

The dormitory is operated by Maxi Consultancy and will have an initial occupancy of 600.

A spokesperson for the operator said the foreign workers will be mostly from China, and three-quarters will be women.

The dormitory had been expected to open in August. But it faced delays, as the operator had to first fulfil 14 conditions laid out by Serangoon Gardens residents.

The latter have established four sub-committees to look into security, traffic, environmental and engagement issues.

Mr John Leow, the coordinating chairman of the committees, said: "We're happy with the precautionary measures and all the security in place. The enforcement will have to come in ... when the residents come in."

Last year, the proposal to have a foreign workers' dormitory built in the estate sparked a heated debate and protests from the residents. JOANNE CHAN