Representatives from the office of Labour Affairs in Singapore paid a Visit to Thai workers at the Murai Lodge II

              On 25 February 2010, Miss Nutcha Tritabyapong, Minister Counsellor (Labour Affairs) along with Ms. Tanya Laohathai – Consul, Mr. Srunyu Ampartrakarn – First Secretary, and representatives from the office of labour affairs and from the FTI in Singapore to pay a visit to Thai workers at the Mural Lodge at 1A on Murai Farmway Road. The details are shown below:
               1. Marui Lodge II is managed by VOBIS Enterprise Pte., Ltd who has been in dormitory business since 2005. Currently, the company owns 4 dormitories which are Soon Lee Lodge (Jurong Area), Simpang Loadge (Yishun Area), Murai Lodge II (Lim Chu Kang Area), and Cochrane Lodge (Sembawang Area). Those lodges can accommodate up to 21,500 workers.
               2. Marui Lodge II houses a total of 8,000 workers. Facilities which are currently provided in the building include 24-hour security guard service, retina scanning system for building access, kitchen and 24 hours service canteen, one minimart, hair salon, television rooms, fitness center, reading rooms, internet rooms, first aid rooms, and laundry service. 
              3. Currently, Marui Lodge II accommodates workers from 4 countries which are Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, and Thailand. At present, there are approximately 200 Thai workers staying in the lodge. However, in this visit the group met only around 70 Thai workers due to fact that the rest are still on duty or still yet to arrive the lodge.
              4. Minister Counsellor (Labour Affairs) was greeting and explaining about the roles of the office of Labour Affairs and the contact channel to receive assistance from the Minister Counsellor which includes organizing the Thai Labour Association in Singapore, arranging annual football cup, providing Non-Formal Education Centre, and English Training Program. Then, Ms. Tanya introduced herself and other officials to those Thai workers, summarized necessary information, and handed out the Thai worker’s manual, registration form, and oversea election request/change forms to them.