Facebook user Jianxion James who is a local SME business owner shared his unpleasant experience when dealing with the Ministry of Health. He stated that his workers were tested positive for covid and proceed to head down to security to report, but to his horror, they were asked to head back to their rooms. When he called the MOH hotline, MOH allegedly did not have the details of the workers who tested positive. This shocked him even further.
Here was what was stated in his Facebook post.
“I am a local SME business owner… my workers have been staying in TOH GUAN DORMITORY and have since been isolated since April.
On 15/7/20 2 of the 6 workers were asked to attend Swab test. On the 16/07/20 they both received SMS from MOH that they are tested for positive. (Even after 2 swab test and 1x blood test)
Both workers head down to the security to report and was asked to go back to their rooms.
They were shocked and apologise on the Ministry behalf.
I called MOH hotline on the 17/07/20. regarding this matter. They were shocked and apologise on the Ministry behalf. They asked for my worker’s name and address and where they have been.
They were shocked and apologise on the Ministry behalf.
Isn’t all swab test conducted by MOH and they would have the address and name of the workers. Why are they not sure ? where the sms was issued by them
2nd call from another department of MOH called and asked the same question .
1 hr later another department of MOH called and assured me that the workers are well taken care off. I asked the validity of the swab but no direct answer from MOH
I called the dorm operator and question them why are the workers whom are tested positive not isolated , their reply was , because their isolation facilities are full hence worker were are instructed to head back to their rooms.
On 18/07/20 (1day late), both workers are being sent to the recovery facilities at BIG BOX but due to them being instructed to head back to their rooms 1 of my workers is down with fever. and is currently being isolated awaiting transport to Changi Expo.
I called the dorm operator on 21/07/20. The dorm operator told me that MOM have release 500 workers for work because they have recovered from COVID19. Then what about those workers that have been tested negative all these while ? What if they mix with the general population and contracted COVID again ?
How long will they still need to be locked up in their rooms? It has been 3mths and 2 weeks. Try locking yourself in a room for that extended period.
I am also wondering ,it has already been 3 mths since PBD’s have been locked down. Is there no standard guidelines or SOP that various Ministries can follow ? By pushing positive workers back to their rooms , it will cause unnecessary panic to the workers and as per WHO this virus is highly infectious. Mental health is also another aspect that the ministries fails to tackle.
Workers are human being, and most workers that are under my company have worked for more than 5 years and are like family to me and my company. I take serious view in their mental health and well being.
As employers , we do not receive any update or test results from anyone beside our worker sending text to us saying they have tested positive for covid.
In this evolving covid situation. Wouldn’t it be in the best interest for the ministries to work closely with the employers.
I called my workers daily to check on their well being. At this rate, the PBD’s case will always sky rocket.
And MoM have started collecting worker’s levies due in JUNE being payable on JULY 50% and then subsequent 100% for the month of JULY being payable in August. How can SME survive ? with perpetually zero in and all out. Even appeal to MOM regarding this issue , my company still fail to receive any replies from them .”
Source: Jianxiong James Facebook
