SINGAPORE: Nursing homes have said the increase in the foreign worker levy will mean higher operating costs for them.

One such nursing home said that if costs go up too high, it may have to raise fees.

In response, the Health Ministry told MediaCorp that it is studying the impact of the levy hike and may provide "additional assistance" if need be.

At the Moral Home for the Aged Sick, more than half of the staff are foreign workers.

Those running the home said they understand the need to raise the foreign worker levy. But they want to point out that unlike other industries, it is not easy for nursing homes to reduce manpower and raise productivity by switching to machines and automation.

Dr Lee Ngak Siang, chairman, Chee Hoon Kog Moral Promotion Society, said: "We would not like to see that one day, if the cost is so high and there are no other avenues to assist us, we may have to increase the charges to the residents — this is what we do not want to see.

"But if it comes to this stage where there is no other choice, we may have to reluctantly increase the charges."

Currently, the home charges S$1,100 to S$1,600 per month.

Dr Lee said: "We also want to see more and more Singaporeans coming forward to help us to work in nursing homes, especially elderly persons. Working in a nursing home is not a light job." But he added that it has been difficult hiring them as Singaporeans are not keen to work night shifts. — CNA/ms