Police last night rescued 21 migrant workers locked inside a room due to COVID-19 fears, according to the workers’ rights advocacy group that brought their plight to attention.

Hours after calling attention to their situation, Transient Workers Count Too said the police visited the Joylicious dorm in Tuas and unlocked the room where the workers had been sealed inside.

“At last, a positive note from the guys in Joylicious dorm. The police came and the door was opened. Now, the door is left open and they get fresh air. Hope it stays that way,” the group wrote online at around 8:30pm.

Migrant workers sealed in room since Friday due to COVID-19 fears: NGO

Earlier, at around 1pm, it said the workers had been locked inside and were only allowed out with the help of security guards who took up to half an hour to respond. They had reportedly been locked inside after a Chinese national was taken away Friday for being infected with COVID-19. The situation raised issues including fire safety concerns.

Three hours after it became public, the group said the workers were moved to another locked room and were being investigated by their employer for “leaking” information.

“They are now in a different, bigger room one floor down, with attached bathroom. But the door is still locked. And they report that the boss is now calling individual workers in the group to find out who leaked the information,” the update said.

The update included a photo of the locked door latch.

The group said that the dorm is operated by Joylicious Management Pte Ltd, which is not among licensed dormitory operators listed by the Ministry of Manpower.

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Migrant workers sealed in room since Friday due to COVID-19 fears: NGO

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