THE HIGHLIGHTS

Since the outbreak in 2020, companies all over the world were trying their very best to mitigate losses and sustain the business so that their employees are safe from the pandemic physically and financially. Singapore’s worst cases came from the worker dormitories. Being in the construction industry, the pandemic had greatly impacted Hwa Seng Builder Pte Ltd. Our top management had pulled the brakes early way before the Circuit Breaker, and thankfully we managed to achieved the results of Zero Covid Cases in our organisation.

How we got through 2020

• Daily physical support from Top Management where we pay visits letting them know that we are all in this together
• Assuring our workers that they are safe and in good hands
• Supported them financially where they do not need to worry about money even when work stopped
• Improving our worker’s skillset by digitalising our work flows with technology
• Nutritious fruits and food weekly to keep them fit and healthy

Left: Kind residents of Dairy Farm appreciating our workers with snacks and gifts, Right: CNY Goodies gifted by residents during CNY after we cleared the pedestrian road after a thunderstorm

During Chinese New Year, we also had kind residents dropping off goodies and oranges to appreciate our workers. We are thankful that their small action had brought joy and happiness to our workers and project team members.

Giving back to our workers

Our workers deserved a good break after the restart of work since the Circuit Breaker ended. Working tirelessly for the past few months to sustain the company.

Source: Singapore Straits Times

As we progress with the improved Covid-19 situation, Singapore moved into Phase 3 in Dec 2020 where 8 people can gather together, business events are allowed an increased number of participants and we stepped up in the use of TraceTogether. And recently, it was announced that 75% of the employees can return back to their workplaces. The Construction industry have then seen the relaxation of rules where workers are allowed to apply a longer Exit-pass period and work permit/s-pass holders working in construction site can now take public transport to work.

Singapore encourages all residents to be vaccinated so that we can live safely together and in the near future, all the restrictions will be removed and our lives back to “normal”.

Did You Know..

Workers now staying in the same dormitory can now travel in the same vehicle to/from multiple sites in a single trip.

If you are having dilemma whether you should take the vaccine or not, let us bring you through the process and hopefully it will make you less afraid when it is your turn.

Q: HOW DO VACCINES WORK?

Source: gov.sg

You will never be able build your body’s immunity naturally to fight any kind of virus. This is the reason why we fall sick. Each time our body comes in contact with foreign virus, the body will produce antibodies to fight it. The process of fighting makes us sick where we may experience symptoms such as fever, chills, flu etc. It is part of the process. Boosting our immunity by taking vitamins and nutrients, is to build our body stronger so that when we encounter the virus, we are strong enough to fight these symptoms and we can recover faster.

Q: WHY ARE THERE SO MANY TYPES OF VACCINES?

Source: gov.sg

Q: I HAVE EXISTING HEALTH CONDITIONS, CAN I TAKE THE VACCINE?

Source: gov.sg

Q: THE VACCINES ARE DEVELOPED SO QUICKLY, ARE YOU SURE IT IS SAFE?

Source: gov.sg

BCA Green & Gracious Scheme to be taken over by SCAL

Announced on 23 March 2021, the Singapore Contractors Association Limited (SCAL) will take over Green and Gracious Builder Scheme (GGBS) from 1st April 2021 onwards. BCA launched the GGBS in 2009 to recognise builder’s effort in embracing CSR to environment and public during the construction of projects. Under the Construction Industry Transformation Map (ITM), the Trade Associations and Chambers (TACs) were invited to jointly transform the industry with BCA. Thus, taking over certification schemes that are currently administered by BCA to take on greater role in building the industry’s capabilities.

After the change, there will be no changes to the criteria for GGBS. KPIs will also remain the same as of time of article.

For more information, please look up SCAL at www.scal.com.sg/information.

The government have lightened the SMM rules in March 2021, allowing up to 75% of their employees return to their workplaces. In hope that we can resume major work events from this announcement, unfortunately we are still restricted to a certain extend. However, following rules from regulation we can still arrange events to the best of our abilities.

Safe Work Measures

• Maintain a 1m social distance during meet ups
• Sufficient masks stored at workplace for employees to change regularly
• Regular disinfection of regular touch points
• Clean up after meals

Work Related Events

All work-related events that proceed must adhere to prevailing workplace Safe Management Measures and are subjected to the following requirements:

• The number of persons per event must be capped at 50 people to limit the risk of exposure to infection
• Attendees must maintain at least 1m safe distancing between individual attendees, as per the requirement at the workplace
• Meals should not be the main feature of the event. If meals are served as part of the event, it should be served indivudually with SMM in place

*Please note that these events must only primarily involve employees/stakeholder. For example: trainings, meetings, corporate retreats, conferences.

Social Gatherings

Within the workplace for social gatherings such as farewell lunches or team bonding events, it should still be kept at 8 people.