MOM conducts surprise inspection after resident shares video of rat in Woodlands workers' dorm

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has inspected the worker's dormitory North Coast Lodge and found the communal spaces to be clean after a resident took a video of the living conditions in the dorm that included a rat.

Stomper Anthony shared the 40-second video showing spills around the stove, razor blades and hair on the sink, litter in the shower area and the rodent scurrying along the rafters and pipes in the ceiling.

"This is the living conditions in the North Coast Lodge dormitory," said the Stomper.

"The worker WhatsApped me to ask what sin he committed that the employer housed him in such a place?"

Operated by Draco Venture, North Coast Lodge is located at 51 North Coast Avenue in Woodlands.

In response to a Stomp query, MOM said: "The ministry takes a serious view of any issues regarding hygiene standards and living conditions at migrant worker dormitories.

"We are aware of a resident’s video and feedback on North Coast Lodge dormitory, regarding the cleanliness of the communal spaces at one dormitory block.

"MOM’s Forward Assurance and Support Team carried out an investigation by conducting unannounced visits to North Coast Lodge on March 30 and April 5.

"We found the dormitory’s communal spaces to be clean during the inspection, but have issued a reminder to the dormitory operator on the importance of ensuring acceptable living conditions for our migrant worker residents, and will continue to monitor the situation.

"The operator explained that the video was taken during the evening peak period after the workers cooked their dinner, before the cleaning of the premises took place. Cleaning of the North Coast Lodge’s communal spaces is done twice daily – in the morning and at midnight – while pest control is conducted twice weekly.

"MOM will continue to carry out regular inspections at dormitories to ensure that acceptable hygiene standards are maintained for migrant worker residents."

Below are photos of the conditions shown in the video side by side with photos of the conditions MOM found at the dorm.