KUCHING, June 16: A total of 17 employees from Trienekens (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd Kuching logistics and services division have tested positive for Covid-19, resulting in waste collection services temporary scheduled to happen only once a week.
Trienekens (Sarawak) Corporate Communications division in a statement today disclosed that further to the first reported case on June 1, several more positive cases were reported, causing further disruptions to waste collection services.
To plan ahead, the company had taken it upon themselves to carry out a swab testing exercise for the whole municipal waste collection team.
It also said that some 60 of them (40 percent of its workforce) are now under quarantine orders.
“We are seeking the public’s patience and understanding as waste collection services across the city under the municipalities of The Commission Of The City Of Kuching North (DBKU), Kuching South City Council (MBKS) and Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) have been severely affected following quarantine orders and movement restrictions of its employees.
“In addressing these manpower issues, several teams are currently working on double shifts including on Sundays to cover waste collection services throughout the city, which has been affected since early June 2021. The company has also been employing contract and temporary workers to cover affected teams,” its logistics operations department manager Mason Barau said.
In view of the severely impacted manpower availability, Trienekens will be placing Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) containers throughout the city in designated areas to facilitate household waste disposal from the public.
Till the situation improves, waste collection services in most areas will also be temporarily re-scheduled to once, instead of the normal twice, a week.
The collection frequency shall return to its normal schedule as operations stabilise in the coming weeks.
Members of the public are appealed to extend a helping hand by reducing their waste generation where possible, utilizing the RoRo containers provided and to ensure all their waste are tightly packed to avoid spillage.
“Please bear with us as we strive to address the collection issues during this unprecedented, challenging time. Extra waste should be packed and disposed of properly into the additional RoRo containers provided, which are available for use until further notice.
“We hope that our collection services will stabilize within three to four weeks, as our staff are gradually released from quarantine. While 79 percent of our workforce are still not vaccinated, the company is working closely with the relevant agencies to arrange for critical frontliner workforce vaccination,” Mason added.
Meanwhile, RoRo containers will be available for public use at the following locations effective June 17.
Under DBKU areas, the containers are located at Bandar Baru Semariang Commercial Area (Near H&L); Lorong Astana 7; Kampung Tupong; Lorong Datuk Ajibah Abol 21 (Near Surau Bandarshah) and Sungai Maong Market.
As for MBKS areas, the containers can be found at Lorong Sim Kheng Hong 5; Lorong Song 3G, Hui Sing Commercial Area (behind Unaco ) and Tabuan Laru Recycling Centre.
Over in MPP areas, the containers are located at Kampung Paroh, Jalan Sejijak; Lorong 7, Jalan Belatok, Taman Malihah; Balai Raya Desa Wira, Lorong 20, Taman Desa Wira and Jalan Kampung Segedup.
Members of the public can refer to the temporary once a week collection schedule effective immediately listed at www.trienekens.com.my/temporaryschedule.
For more information, Trienekens can be contacted at its hotline number 082-612300 (Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5.30pm), email customercare@trienekens.com.my or contact the company through its mobile app, Trienekens Customer Care. —DayakDaily
