'Better than my HDB': Newly furnished foreign worker dormitory ad claims dorms are not 'dirty' or 'crowded'
When a foreign worker dormitory operator posted a video of a newly furnished facility — complete with bunk beds, a recreational area and a gym — meant to debunk assumptions that migrant workers live in cramped and unsanitary conditions, some netizens remained sceptical that the space would stay clean.
Westlite Singapore, which operates multi-facility housing for migrant workers across industries in Singapore and Malaysia, uploaded a video showcasing its newest accommodation, Westlite Ubi, at 25 Ubi Ave 3. The clip has garnered over 223,400 views and 4,000 likes at press time.
The video opens with photos of cramped living spaces, bare bunk beds and lockers cluttered with personal belongings. An on-screen caption reads: "How people imagine migrant worker dormitories to look like in Singapore."
It then cuts to footage of Westlite Ubi, revealing a stark contrast.
Bunk beds come with night lights and closets, while dining areas are furnished with placemats and decorated with greenery. The facility also includes a kitchen with a portable stove, a recreation room with ping pong tables, and a gym equipped with weights and treadmills.
"If you still think dorms are 'dirty' or 'crowded', it's time to see the truth. This is what migrant worker housing at Westlite really looks like," the caption reads.
Dormitory operator says regular inspections conducted
In response to queries from Stomp, a Westlite spokesperson said its newest dormitory was completed in Q4 2024, and has been operating at close to full occupancy since March 2025.
The spokesperson added that all Westlite accommodations are designed with both functional and recreational amenities, with the aim of creating homely, lifestyle-focused environments. Upkeep is managed daily through regular inspections and a dedicated on-site team.
Netizens sceptical
In the comments, some joked that the dorm looked better than their own homes. Others noted that standards vary across operators, pointing out that many workers still face poor living conditions elsewhere.
Several commenters who said they work in foreign worker dormitories claimed the space would become messy within a month.
"I can tell from personal experience that this is before they move in. One month after they do move in, the place is filthy, sanitary appliances are either broken or missing, there are many cases of bed bugs. Toilets and sinks are choked up," one netizen said.
Another commenter, who said they previously stayed at a Mandai dormitory run by Westlite, shared a different perspective — noting that rooms housed up to 16 people and felt cramped.
Others defended the workers, saying they "deserved respect", and commended the company for the upgrade.
"Migrant workers are the backbone of our development as a country, every single one of our buildings!" one netizen wrote.
Living conditions of foreign workers made headlines earlier this year, when a man accused several workers of sleeping in public spaces.
A domestic worker also went viral after posting her daily meals, raising questions about whether she was given enough to eat.
