Employers Will Need to Inform Ministry About Workers' Quarters
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The Ministry of Federal Territories will make it mandatory for all employers to produce information about accommodation for foreign workers to be hired. This information will serve as a requirement to obtain approval of the development order.
The minister of Federal Territories. Annuar Musa stated that the condition was to ensure that foreign workers would not be living in overcrowded houses, as part of the government's efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 among foreign workers in the Federal Territories.
According to Annuar, the ministry made the condition compulsory, but they would implement it in stages as a few centralised labour quarters would need to be provided. He said that his ministry had identified five areas in Kuala Lumpur for the central labour quarters.
One location is near the Selayang wholesale market, with an area of between 0.6ha and 1.6ha. Another one is in Precinct 20, Putrajaya, with an area of 10.1ha which could house a total of 20,000 to 40,000 foreign workers.
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The new requirement is to ensure that foreign workers would not be living in overcrowded houses.
Annuar said the ministry would improve coordination with local authorities and the Ministry of Human Resources to determine the number of foreign workers at construction sites.
He said that the Ministry of Federal Territories produces the project approval licence while the Ministry of Human Resources produces the work permits but sometimes there is no coordination as they do not know who will be coming to work as it is not the Kuala Lumpur City Hall's responsibility.
He added that foreign workers arrive and are placed at crowded construction sites which causes the spread of COVID-19.
Minister says contractors are responsible for providing standard workers lodging
Meanwhile, Minister of Works, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof says that he wants to see more construction firms provide standard housing for workers in compliance with the Workers' Minimum Standard of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446).
The minister noted that the workers' accommodation, which is usually crowded and unhygienic, has been highlighted continuously, attracting negative publicity.
In a statement, he said that the health ministry has also found out that the workers' housing, which is not maintained, contributes to the spread of COVID-19.
The minister added that most contractors had not been giving enough attention to their workers' quarters because of the construction activities at one site being temporary in nature. He also said that providing quality accommodation for workers would add to the costs.
Twenty-three employers charged for not complying with Act 446.
Recently, 23 employers were charged for failing to comply with workers' accommodation requirements. The authorities had carried out about 100 operations across the country to inspect workers' living condition.
According to Deputy Human Resources Minister, Awang Hashim, most employers failed in the standard operating procedures (SOP) compliance. They found that too many workers were living in a single room.
He said that there should only be two persons to a room, but the inspections show more than six people in a room. Awang stated the ministry would continue with the strict enforcement to ensure employers obey the law and procedures set by the National Security Council (NSC).
Previously, Act 446 jurisdiction only covered the housing and accommodation aspects of over 20 acres involving mining and plantation sectors. Through the recent amendments, it is now being extended to all industries that provide housing and accommodation for workers.
Sources: 1. FMT 2. The Borneo Post Online 3. Daily Express
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