Protecting Guest Workers in Singapore

09.02.2021, 17:14
Protecting Guest Workers in Singapore
Universal Contact Tracing wearables supplied by Microshare in partnership with PwC have been protecting the lives and livelihoods of migrant workers in Singapore’s migrant worker dormitories.
The wearables protect government workers living in dorms by logging “contact events” and enforcing social distancing protocols that required them to limit indoor mobility to avoid the risk of spreading infection throughout the crowded spaces.
The challenge
Foreign guest workers, often housed in government-owned high rises, comprise over 36 percent of Singapore’s labor force. Municipal authorities in the island nation who run these dorm-style housing units needed a way to enforce social distancing rules and track possible contact events to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks.
The solution
Universal Contact Tracing wearables were deployed and quickly provided contact tracing capabilities to worried municipal authorities. This contained outbreaks and prevented deaths. Despite very dense housing conditions, Singapore’s deaths per 100,00 remains below low at 0.55, compared with 142 per 100K (UK) and 125 per 100K (US).
Minimal disruption
Up and running within hours of delivery, Microshare’s contact tracing wearables protected lives and kept this crucial part of Singapore’s economy healthy, earning and on the job. While some dorms had to be quarantined to control local outbreaks, the wearables helped limit spread within the tight confines of such “red zone” dorms
Protecting workers, jobs and society
Dr. Zubin Daruwalla PwC Health Industries Leader, comments:
“People said it couldn’t be done. Able to provide location tracking and/or contact tracing and/or social distancing data and insights? YES! Clinically validated? YES. And successfully piloted and validated in a Singapore foreign worker dormitory.”