Previous Story
Conditions of workers’ barracks
|
Posted on May 08 2009
[B]Q: If an employer provides housing for his alien employees, what are the safety conditions of the housing units to be observed?
A:[/B] According to the new Regulations of the Alien Labor Law, every employer who provides housing for alien employees should see to it that the housing site is safe; the building structure for housing is safe; toilet facilities are safe; and laundry, hand-washing, and bathing facilities are safe.
* * *
[B]Q: What kind of maintenance is needed to keep the grounds around the employer-provided housing units safe?A:[/B] The regulations state that the grounds around the housing units should be adequately drained to prevent flooding, collection of waste water, and mosquito breeding. The grounds should be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, free of rubbish, debris, waste paper, garbage, and other refuse. The workers are responsible for assisting in this maintenance to the extent that they generate such refuse.
Whenever a housing unit is closed on a temporary or permanent basis, the employer should ensure that all garbage, waste, and other refuse is collected and disposed of. The grounds and housing units should also be left in a clean and sanitary condition.
* * *
[B]
Q: What are the important things that an employer needs to ensure to have a safe housing unit for his or her workers?
A:[/B] Each sleeping room in the housing units should contain at least 50 square feet of floor space for each occupant. At least a seven-foot ceiling should be provided.
Separate bedding, which may include bunks, should be provided for each occupant. Spacing of single bedding should not be closer than 36 inches both side-to-side and end-to-end. Elevation of single bedding should be at least 12 inches from the floor.
Where workers cook, live, and sleep in a single room, a minimum of 100 square feet per person should be provided.
Natural ventilation consisting of windows should be provided, the area of which should be not less than one-fourth the floor area of the living quarters. In lieu of natural ventilation, mechanical ventilation may be provided which shall supply at least 15 cubic feet of fresh air per person per minute.
An adequate and convenient water supply should be provided for drinking, cooking, bathing, and laundry purposes.
[I]Disclaimer: Readers should conduct their own research and due diligence and obtain professional legal advice. Saipan Tribune will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by a reader’s reliance on information obtained from this section. Submit questions on labor issues to Saipan Tribune via e-mail at editor@saipantribune.com, or by calling 235-6397, 235-2440, or 235-8747 and leaving a message at Ext. 133 or 135. You may also submit questions in person by writing it down and dropping it off at the Saipan Tribune’s office on the second floor of the JP Center on Beach Road, Garapan. [/I]
