When the coronavirus spread to Singapore last year, it disproportionately affected migrant workers in dormitories.
We later learned that these workers had been forced to live in cramped spaces with communal bathroom facilities this whole time, which facilitated the spread of COVID-19.
After an online backlash over their living conditions, the authorities started housing migrant workers in newly built dorms which were said to be improved living spaces.
The rooms in these new dorms came with en-suite toilets and were shared among fewer people, with a cap of 12 residents in each room.
One of the new dorms was Westlite Jalan Tukang dormitory, a dorm in Jurong which started operating in the second quarter (Apr to Jun) of this year.
Despite the new and improved facilities, residents of the dorm claimed earlier this month that they were given poor quality food, had a lack of access to medical care, and alleged breaches in healthcare protocol at the facility.
Now, the workers finally have the response they deserve.
Sembmarine Apologises After Its Workers Were Mistreated in Jurong Dorm
Sembcorp Marine (Sembmarine) has apologised to its workers living at Westlite Jalan Tukang Dormitory over their claims of alleged neglect.
Regarding the poor hygiene and quality of their catered food, Sembmarine said it has reprimanded the caterer and insisted that they adhere strictly to hygiene standards and deliver food on time.
Sembmarine said it will continue to monitor the issue to ensure a high and consistent standard of food hygiene and quality.
The company also responded to claims that there were delays in conveying dorm residents with COVID-19 to recovery and healthcare facilities.
“Arrangements were made to convey the workers. Unfortunately, due to the large numbers, there were delays in conveyance to recovery and healthcare facilities,” Sembmarine said.
As of Thursday (14 Oct), all residents who tested positive have been sent to a care or recovery facility, it said. It added that it has worked with the relevant authorities to “resolve the logistical challenge” of transporting infected workers.
In addition to addressing its workers’ concerns, there will also be more intercommunication between the company and its workers. This includes getting workers’ feedback and laying out the prevailing testing and health management protocols.
Sembmarine said it has taken measures to protect its workers’ health and safety, and will continue to do so.
“The safety and well-being of our workers are our foremost concern,” it said. “The company apologises to our workers for these issues.”
Worms in Food, Lack of Medical Support Among Concerns Raised
So, just how bad was the food?
Well, according to some workers, the food catered for them had gone bad and sometimes even had worms in them.
Have a look:
What’s more, after around a quarter of the 2,000 workers at the dorm had gotten infected at one point, some workers allegedly had to sleep outside their rooms on the floor for isolation purposes.
Infected workers were allegedly left to their own devices in a room with five others, with no isolation nor medication.
Now you can see why they were upset.
They were so upset, in fact, that they gathered in front of the management office on 13 Oct to voice their frustrations.
They merely raised their voices, though, and no violence broke out. You can read more about that here.
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