IN collaboration with several departments, inspections were conducted on about 100 operations nationwide (since Sept 1, 2020) to check on workers’ living conditions, in accordance with the Workers’ Minimum Standards on Housing and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446).
From those inspections, a total of 23 employers have been charged in court for failing to comply with the Government’s ruling on the provision of workers’ accommodations.
According to the Deputy Human Resources Minister Awang Hashim, most of the employers that have been charged failed to follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs), as too many workers were living in one room.
“There should only be two persons to a room, but our checks show there were more than six people in a room. The six to a bathroom rule was also not adhered to, so all these are in violation the SOPs set,” he said.
Awang said the ministry would continue with the strict enforcement action to ensure employers abide by the Act and procedures set by the National Security Council, adding that if employers abide by the rules, risk COVID-19 transmission could be reduced.
The departments involved were the Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM), Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), Social Security Organisation (Socso), State Health Department (JKN), and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) involving 30 personnel. – Jan 29, 2021
