Plans to improve migrant worker recreation centres in Singapore

MOM getting third parties like NTUC to run them, to boost activities, services

- Kok Yufeng

On his day off every week, Bangladeshi lorry driver Based Mohammad Abdul heads to the migrant worker recreation centre in Tuas South to shop for groceries.

The 31-year-old said he goes there because the market is well stocked, but wonders if the centre could offer more training classes, such as those teaching computer skills, while he is visiting.

His wish may soon become a reality, with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) set to take over the running of the Tuas South centre and two others in the west Penjuru and Terusan from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for three years starting in August.

The ministry's hope is that by getting external parties with expertise, such as NTUC, to operate the recreation centres, a wider array of services and activities like training and skills upgrading can be offered to the hundreds of thousands of migrant workers here.

The recreation centres, which are dedicated spaces for migrant workers, already offer essential services such as remittance and retail shops, food and drink options, and free communal facilities like cricket fields.

In a statement on June 28, MOM said the move to appoint an external operator is part of continuing efforts to improve the diversity and quality of these offerings. This is so the centres become more vibrant and attractive to workers.

Beyond appointing third parties to run the centres, MOM said there are plans to upgrade some of the older ones over time to ensure their facilities are up to date.

These renovations will start at Penjuru Recreation Centre in Jurong, where a new administrative block for training classes and events will be built. The work will be done in phases starting in 2025 and is expected to take place over 18 to 24 months.