Sembmarine updates vaccination records of 53% of its workers in Westlite dorm as verification continues

SEMBCORP Marine (Sembmarine) is still in the thick of verifying the vaccination status of its 1,400 workers residing at the Westlite Jalan Tukang Dormitory.

As at Thursday (Oct 21), 53 per cent of these workers have had their vaccination status records updated in the National Immunisation Registry (NIR), Sembmarine disclosed in an update on Friday evening. About 67 per cent of them have undergone serology tests.

Sembmarine is continuing to make vaccines available, including Sinovac and Sinopharm, for its workers who have not met the criteria for registration in the NIR, it said. The exercise has been ongoing since Oct 19.

"The company also understands that there are some concerns from workers who are not familiar with Singapore's public health protocols. We have stepped up engagements with workers to explain ... protocols and the vaccination registration process," Sembmarine added in its press release.

These developments come after a spike in Covid-19 cases in the dorm led to frustrated residents gathering on Oct 13 to protest, which culminated in riot police being called. Dorm residents said that medical support was poor and their food had turned bad.

About 40 per cent of the dorm's 3,400 beds are occupied by Sembmarine workers. Sembmarine subsequently apologised to its workers living at the dorm.

In Friday's update, the company said that it has worked with its caterer to make specific improvements based on worker feedback. "We also commenced an investigation into allegations of foreign objects within the food. While we have yet to find evidence to substantiate the claims, we are treating the matter seriously,"it said.

Shares of Sembmarine closed at S$0.079 on Friday, down 1.25 per cent.