Singapore announces steps to enhance healthcare, housing for migrant workers
Singapore (PTI): Singapore has announced a series of measures to improve healthcare access, housing standards and social support for migrant workers, recognising their contribution to the city-state's multi-billion-dollar development, as it marked International Migrants Day on Monday.
Manpower Minister Tan See Leng said migrant workers, including domestic helps, have played a vital role in building the nation and caring for its people, and deserve greater appreciation and support.
Singapore depends on migrant workers from South Asia, including India; China; and Southeast Asia, over one million of whom are working in labour-intensive construction, marine shipyard and process sectors, according to The Straits Times newspaper.
“All of you - our migrant workers - can look forward to refreshed facilities and more diverse initiatives, from sports to entertainment and cultural performances, as well as training programmes such as English and digital literacy classes,” Tan was quoted as saying by The Straits Times.
Singapore has made significant progress in the areas of housing, healthcare and recreation since 2021, when a road map to build a more resilient migrant workforce was launched by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.
The minister announced that more clinics will be added under the Primary Care Plan (PCP) to reduce travel time and improve access to medical care for migrant workers. A centralised online portal will also be created to help employers enrol workers under the scheme.
These changes will be implemented when new PCP anchor operators are appointed from April 2027.
Launched in 2022, the PCP provides coverage for medical services including consultations for acute and chronic conditions, annual health screenings, telemedicine and medication delivery.
To strengthen social support, Tan said, MOM and the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) will merge two existing volunteer schemes into a single unified programme in 2026.
Currently, about 2,000 migrant workers volunteer under MOM’s Friends of ACE programme and as ambassadors at the MWC.
The move will allow better deployment of volunteers and expand outreach to more workers, Tan said, adding that recreational offerings will also be diversified.
On housing, Tan announced that Singapore’s first government-built migrant worker dormitory, NESST Tukang, has begun accommodating residents ahead of its official opening in January 2026.
Located in the Jurong industrial estate, the dormitory can house up to 2,400 workers and features improved ventilation, privacy corners and round-the-clock food access.
“This Tukang dormitory sets a new benchmark for safety, comfort and dignity,” Tan said, expressing hope that it would encourage higher standards across the industry.
The government also plans to build six additional dormitories providing a total of 45,000 beds over the next few years, following lessons learnt during the pandemic.
Tan also highlighted initiatives such as the CritiCare Fund for Migrant Workers, which supports those suffering from critical illnesses and unable to afford life-saving treatment.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
