Indian migrant workers ask banks for more remittance kiosks

The Indian High Commission in Singapore has urged Indian banks operating in the country to install remittance kiosks at migrant workers' dormitories.

The Indian High Commission in Singapore has urged Indian banks operating in the country to install remittance kiosks at migrant workers’ dormitories.

During visits from the high commission, Indian migrant workers in Singapore have asked for remittance kiosks at their dormitories so that they do not have to travel into the crowded Little India district on days off.

Thakur Singh, India’s high commissioner in Singapore, said: "One of the issues mentioned in these visits was that of sending back money home as limited facilities are available in and around the dormitories.

"One of the ideas that emerged was to see whether banks, including Indian banks can help in this."

In December, a riot broke out in the Little India district, leading the authorities to look for ways to reduce the number of people visiting the district.

A public inquiry into the riot is due to open in February and police have been given greater powers to maintain order in the area.

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Simon Lee, secretary-general of the Dormitory Association of Singapore, said: "If remittance can be offered near where these people live, they would not have to travel to Little India for this. That could reduce the crowds there."

State Bank of India and ICICI Bank have licenses to set up 25 points of business in Singapore.

Currently, ICICI has three remittance kiosks in the city, one at its branch in the financial district, another in Little India and a third at Westlite Dormitory.

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