THE Government needs to mete out harsher punishments against companies that neglect the welfare of its employees, including migrant workers.
‘Investigations and compounds alone are not enough to deal with such violations. The Government must be tough on them.
“A company is nothing without its workers,” Tenaganita executive director Glorene Das told FocusM.
Two days ago, AFP reported that migrant workers employed by glove manufacturer Top Glove Corp Bhd are living in appalling conditions which exposed many of them to COVID-19.
One of its employees, Yam Narayan Chaudhray, a Nepali security guard had died due to complications from the virus two days ago. He was stationed at Top Glove’s 13th factory in Meru, Klang.
Yesterday, Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said that 29-year-old Yam Narayan was already in the late stages of COVID-19 infection when the latter was brought to the hospital.
“When he was hospitalised, he was already in stage 4 and stage 5 whereby he was placed in the intensive care unit (ICU).
“We gave him the best treatment possible. Unfortunately, he passed away from lung complications due to the coronavirus infection,” Noor Hisham was reported saying.
Hurling brickbats against the glove manufacturer, Glorene said the incident could have been prevented if the company had prioritised its workers’ welfare instead of commodifying them as means to profit.
She added it was terrifying on how Top Glove was treating its employees yet it is still allowed to operate as usual.
“Yes, they might be the highest earning company in Malaysia but we hope they are held accountable for all the violations, including the sad death of the security guard,” Glorene said.
Neglect caused Yam Narayan’s death
Jaringan Pekerja Kontrak Kerajaan (JPKK) urged Top Glove to abide by local laws and do everything in its capacity to protect its workers’ welfare as COVID-19 cases in the country are rising.
“Is Top Glove following the Government’s standard operating procedure when dealing with its workers?
“Remember, the company also sacked a whistleblower who tried to expose to the public on the appalling conditions its migrant workers were living in.
“Take care of your employees as they are the ones who made your company highly profitable. People are not some material assets you can just dispose of,” it said in a statement.
JPKK also questioned Top Glove’s delay in seeking medical attention for Yam Narayan when the latter was identified to be linked to the Teratai cluster which is associated with Top Glove’s Meru, Klang factory.
“As Noor Hisham said, Yam Narayan was already in late stages of COVID-19 infection when he was taken to the hospital. Why the delay? Top Glove’s negligence has led to the man’s death,” it said.
On related matter, migrant workers’ rights specialist Andy Hall told FocusM that Top Glove is anti-thesis to global corporate management which espouses sustainability.
“What Top Glove claims to stand for, being an award winning and sustainable company, should now be seen truthfully for what it really is.
“Top Glove is an unsustainable, reckless and irresponsible firm which only focuses on profit, investor returns, efficiency, targets and tighter customer delivery deadlines at all costs where workers rights, safety, health and decent work takes a back seat,” he said.
In a rush to meet soaring demand for gloves during the pandemic, Hall said Top Glove decided to neglect the welfare and well-being of its migrant workers.
“And there has been little to zero pressure from potential and existing buyers, investors and Government regulators for the company to treat its workers well.
“All the international actors gave a green light to the company and turned a blind eye to its appalling treatment of its migrant workers to ensure faster and cheaper delivery of the much needed personal protection equipment (PPE) during the pandemic,” Hall remarked. – Dec 15, 2020.
