According to reports, it has come to light that the S11 dormitory which houses migrant workers has had 2,263 cases of COVID-19 as of 24 April. It has also been reported that the S11 dormitory generates approximately $70 million per annum in revenue and won a Dormitory Award in 2018.

While the Corona virus outbreak is an unprecedented event, it is somewhat at odds that a dormitory that was judged good enough to win a Dormitory Award just two years ago ends up being the largest COVID-19 cluster in Singapore?

The Guest of Honour, Zaqy Mohamad who is the Minister of State for Manpower, said, “all our winners tonight have one thing in common – they place huge emphasis on the well-being of their foreign worker residents. They take active steps to continually improve their welfare.”

This beg the questions – What is the judging criteria for this Dormitory Award and who are the judges?

According to its website, “the Dormitory Awards aims to recognise dormitory operators who exceed basic housing standards and adopt good dormitory management practices, to enhance the quality of life for foreign worker residents. It is jointly organised by the Ministry of Manpower ( MOM) , Dormitory Association of Singapore Limited ( DASL) and Migrant Workers Centre ( MWC .)”

Are the organisers truly able to represent the needs of migrant workers?

Looking at how the COVID-19 spread has spun out of control within our dormitories and criticism splashed across the international media of how our migrant workers are treated, it is arguably fair to say that the MOM may not be the best party to champion the rights of migrant workers.

The DASL was ostensibly set up to “develop a set of standards for all dormitory association members, so that through these standards, accommodation for foreign workers are clean, hygienic and equitable to proper housing provision”

However, a look at their team members may suggest that there is potential for self serving agendas to be developed. The President of the DASL is Mr Cheah Chi Kong, Jonathan from S11 – the very same S11 with the highest number of COVID-19 cases.

Next up is MWC which is a a bipartite initiative of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Singapore National Employers’ Federation (SNEF). The NTUC is affiliated with the government while the SNEF looks after the welfare of employers (not employees).

Can each of these bodies truly be the arbiter of what constitutes an award winning dormitory?

The criteria of winning such an award is also notably vague. As set out in their website:

Criteria for dormitories regulated under Foreign Employees Dormitories Act ( FEDA) :

Criteria Weightage FW residents’ ratings of how happy they are to live at their dormitory. 30% Dormitory operator’s efforts to interact and engage with the residents. 25% Dormitory operator’s management of feedback, and improvements made in response to feedback. 25% Quality of activities offered to FWs. 10% Dormitory operator’s engagement of appointed Foreign Worker Ambassadors or influential FW leaders. 5% Dormitory operator’s efforts in providing or ensuring emotional support (e.g. counselling) for FWs who require it. 5%

Criteria for dormitories not regulated under FEDA:

Criteria Weightage FW residents’ ratings of how happy they are to live at their dormitory. 30% Dormitory operator’s efforts to interact and engage with the residents. 25% Dormitory operator’s management of feedback, and improvements made in response to feedback. 25% Quality of amenities offered to FWs. 10% Dormitory operator’s engagement of appointed Foreign Worker Ambassadors or influential FW leaders. 5% Dormitory operator’s efforts in providing or ensuring emotional support (e.g. counselling) for FWs who require it. 5%

Who determines the breakdown and what are the benchmarks for judging? Arguably, the standards could be subjective and judged in a self serving manner. And as an aside, why do we have dormitories that are not regulated under FEDA?

The results probably speak for themselves. S11, Dormitory Award 2018, S11, Largest COVID-19 Cluster 2020.

Is there any point in having such seemingly meaningless awards?