Laws on drunken behaviour could be enforced in foreign-worker dorms
SINGAPORE — Foreign-worker dormitories will be designated as public areas for the purposes of enforcing laws on drunken behaviour, under the proposed liquor control laws.
This means that within the premises of such dormitories, a person who is drunk and unable to take care of himself would be liable to a fine of up to S$1,000 or a jail term of up to a month, or both.
The clause comes on the heels of the Government’s move to build mega-dormitories to house more workers. In August last year, a 16,800-bed complex at Tuas South Avenue 1 opened its doors to the first 3,000 workers. The Government is also seeking to pass the Foreign Employee Dormitories Bill to license larger-sized dormitories — offering 1,000 beds or more — from the second half of this year.
Dormitory operators TODAY spoke to said their dormitories already have rules in place restricting retail hours of alcohol, as well as security to monitor for unruly behaviour.
Dormitory Association of Singapore president Kelvin Teo said there have not been any incidences of violence due to drunken behaviour.
“Sometimes, after a few drinks, they get a bit loud, or even get into arguments with the other residents. The security guard will either bring the worker to a ‘cooling room’ — which is usually the Multi Purpose Hall of the dormitory area to calm down, or take him aside and ask his friends to get him to calm down.”
However, he said there was no harm in the Government’s move.
Mr Simon Lee, who runs three dormitories — two in Soon Lee Road and one in Seletar Farmway — said that currently the beer gardens at the three dormitories are licensed to sell liquor up to midnight and residents are allowed to sit and drink for as long as they like. The move would further enforce already existing measures in place to keep order in the dormitories, he said.
“We have security guards and staff patrolling the dormitories 24/7. So far, we have not had any serious incidents,” he added. YVONNE LIM
