MARGMA urges glove makers to ensure safe and healthy workplace

Photo by Malay Mail

THE Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (MARGMA) wants its members to ensure a safe and healthy workplace environment in the light of the prevailing second wave COVID-19 infection.

Its president Dr Supramaniam Shanmugam said it is necessary for all MARGMA members to maintain the highest level of hygiene in their workplaces as well as within the hostels and dormitories that are housing the workers.

“A strict adherence to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) imposed by the Health Ministry must be further enhanced by constant monitoring and checks by the health and security staff on each and every strata of the workers in both the factories and dormitories,” he pointed out in a statement.

“The joint task force consisting of the relevant ministries and MARGMA will continue with their surprise visits to our members’ factories to monitor and ensure that they are in compliance with the living conditions standards as stipulated by Human Resource Ministry.”

MARGMA has adopted a resolution via an extraordinary general meeting in November 2019 that all its members embark and attain the social compliance requirements as per the SEDEX/SMETA programme.

“Many have achieved it, yet others are at various stages of completion,” noted Supramaniam. “This audit will address, among others, the living conditions standards.”

He said MARGMA is aware of the situation with regard “to one of our top member’s facilities and is assured that it are working very closely with the Health Authorities and sanitary experts to contain and suppress the virus attack on their workers”.

“Currently, sanitisation is already taking place and that the affected workers are being quarantined, placed in the safe hands of healthcare staffs in the designated hospitals,” he explained.

“The affected company will provide every assistance to the healthcare authorities as it is indeed an unfortunate incident.”

On a related matter, MARGMA also gave assurance that new capacity is available to make good the interim shortfall and that “there is not going to be any aggravated disruption to whatever is currently being supplied to the world”.

“MARGMA’s members have also embarked in engaging more locals to work in our facilities and this is surely a good sign that going forward, more locals can be employed in this industry,” added Supramaniam.

According to MARGMA’s estimates, the global glove demand will touch 360 billion pieces this year with Malaysia supplying at least 250 to 270 billion pieces. – Nov 25, 202

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