On 17 January 2026, Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower, officiated the opening of NESST Tukang Dormitory, Singapore’s first government built-and-owned migrant worker dormitory.

The opening marks a significant milestone in Singapore’s ongoing efforts to raise migrant worker housing standards, enhance public health resilience, and improve the overall well-being of the migrant workforce.

A New Approach to Migrant Worker Housing

In his address, the Minister highlighted the essential role migrant workers play in building Singapore’s homes, infrastructure, and economy. While earlier approaches focused on meeting basic accommodation needs, the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of strengthening the dormitory ecosystem.

Since then, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has worked closely with industry and community partners to raise standards. In 2021, enhanced standards for new dormitories were introduced to improve liveability and reduce the risk of infectious disease transmission.

NESST Tukang Dormitory is among the first dormitories built to these new standards and serves as a testbed for innovation within the sector.

Key Features of NESST Tukang Dormitory

1. Enhanced Liveability and Well-Being

The dormitory’s design prioritises physical and mental well-being, shaped through consultations with design experts, migrant workers, and industry stakeholders. Key features include:

• Redesigned floor layouts with larger windows for better natural ventilation and daylight

• Dedicated in-room social spaces and small prayer areas

• Privacy nooks on each floor for quiet conversations and reflection

• A redesigned bed configuration that reduces sleep disturbance and supports better rest

2. Stronger Public Health and Pandemic Readiness

To reduce infectious disease risks, the dormitory incorporates:

• Automated thermal scanners at entry gantries

• Wastewater surveillance for early detection of health risks

The facility also includes modular and flexible spaces that can be rapidly converted during public health emergencies. Features such as adaptable recreation areas and clearly marked movement routes support safe distancing when required.

3. Social, Recreational, and Community Spaces

Residents have access to:

• A centralised courtyard

• An open-concept gym

• Cricket practice lanes and green spaces

The landscaping includes familiar plants and trees to create a home-like environment. Beyond physical facilities, mental wellness and peer leadership programmes are supported by community partners. Collaborations with organisations such as the Little India Shop Owners and Heritage Association bring culturally familiar food and festive activities to the dormitory.

4. Digital Innovation in Dormitory Operations

NESST Tukang Dormitory pilots digital and artificial intelligence solutions to improve operations. An integrated dormitory management system, i-SMART, supports:

• Facial recognition for secure entry and accurate resident records

• Tenant and security management

• A mobile application enabling residents to access services, manage entry and exit, and submit feedback

These technologies enhance operational efficiency while improving the resident experience.

Affordability and Industry Take-Up

Despite higher standards and innovative features, the dormitory offers bed prices below comparable dormitories meeting the new standards. This has been achieved through careful planning and scalable design.

Employer response has been strong, with contracts signed with over 30 employers. More than 98% of beds have been taken up, with full occupancy expected by mid-2026.

Dormitory Transition Scheme and Grant Support

Recognising that existing dormitories need time to meet new standards, MOM introduced the Dormitory Transition Scheme (DTS) in 2023. Under this phased approach:

• Dormitories will transition to improved interim standards by 2030

• Full compliance with new standards is expected by 2040

To support this transition, MOM will introduce a DTS Grant to partially offset the costs of selected retrofitting works, such as:

• Installation of ensuite toilets

• Creation of isolation facilities

• Room partitions

Eligible operators will receive between S$3,000 and S$8,800 per unit, depending on the type of retrofitting work completed. Dormitories completing upgrades by end-2028 will qualify for higher grant amounts.

Approximately 900 dormitories with about 200,000 beds are expected to be eligible. MOM will release further details and conduct briefings for eligible operators.