A glove maker in Port Klang raided by the authorities for failing to adhere to COVID-19 standard operating procedure (SOP) and the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446) received a mere slap on the wrist, instead of being shut down.
According to English daily, The Star, the glover maker was issued a fine of RM1,000.
It was earlier said that the factory was supposed to be shut down after it was found breaking several laws. A statement released yesterday showed that only a compound was issued against it.
Klang district environmental health officer Ili Syazwani Mohd Mashudi was reported saying that there were no records of sanitisation and disinfection process being carried out at least three times a day.
“We also did not see any measures on physical distancing in one of the dorms. There are markings for physical distancing but in reality, this did not happen.
“We have yet to see evidence in the form of documentation, observation and random interviews with employees that it is practised,” she was reported saying after a raid by the Port Klang Labour Department and Klang Health Department at around 11.30am yesterday.
The raiding officers inspected the male and female workers’ dorms, as well as the cafeteria and factory floors for physical distancing and sanitisation compliance.
Ili added that if their investigation showed that there had been more than three violations, they would shut down the factory for seven days, under Section 18(1)(f) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).
No one complained, claims company spokesperson
On related matter, the Labour Department found the factory did not comply with several rules under Act 446.
“There are triple-decker bunk beds which are considered a risk to workers and almost all the bunks we saw did not have mattresses.
“One of the dorms was also built into an existing factory, which requires a certificate of accommodation from the Klang Municipal Council – one the company claimed they have applied for but we have yet to see it,” Peninsular Malaysia Labour Department deputy director-general Mohd Asri Abdul Wahab was reported saying.
He said the company also had to make several changes to ensure there is bedding at each bunk and reduce the height of the bunk beds.
Meanwhile, a company spokesperson who claimed to be the factory owner’s son was reported saying: “Certainly have room for improvement but at the same time, I don’t really hear them complaining so much because if you hear and see what some of their friends go through, this is much better.”
Recently, the Labour Department announced that it has opened 19 investigation papers against another glove maker, Top Glove Bhd on allegations of flouting the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446).
The company also landed in hot soup after one of its employees, Yam Narayan Chaudhray, a 29-year-old Nepali security guard died due to complications from COVID-19 On Dec 12. He was stationed at Top Glove’s 13th factory in Meru, Klang. – Dec 25, 2020.
