KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 6): Migrant workers might not be the source of cheap labour in Malaysia soon.
The Government’s proposed amendment of the Workers Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 is bound to raise costs for businesses which employ a large number of foreign workers.
Yet the amendment is deemed necessary as the country continues to grapple with rising Covid-19 cases, now worsened by growing workplace clusters which are believed to be spurred by cramped accommodation of foreign workers.
Furthermore, the continued bad press on the poor living conditions of migrant workers in Malaysia will not help the country’s reputation in the international arena.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysians who flout the standard operating procedure could face stiffer fines or even jail time for their actions after the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 is amended.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Emergency Management Technical Committee had looked into provisions in the law that could be amended to allow stricter and swifter enforcement of Covid-19 SOP.
“Enforcement must be enhanced to ensure adherence to SOP.
“It is crucial to follow the SOP at workplaces, workers’ quarters, business premises and factories to break the chain of Covid-19 infections, ” he said in a special address yesterday.
Friday, 05 Feb 2021 05:36 PM MYT
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba during a visit at an electronics factory in Seremban, February 5, 2021. Bernama pic
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SEREMBAN, Feb 5 Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba went out to the field to observe the implementation of the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) at an electronics factory here today.
Accompanied by Negri Sembilan Health director Datin Dr Harlina Abdul Rashid, Dr Adham spent about 20 minutes at the factory, where he was also given a briefing by its management.
When met by members of the media, Dr Adham said he visited the factory after 61 out of 416 individuals screened there had tested positive for the disease.
The Human Resource Ministry will lead the Worker Accommodation Management Task Force, which will have a wider and more comprehensive jurisdiction through the amendments of the Workers Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990.
KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 4): The Government is in the process of amending the Workers Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 to improve workers accommodation in Malaysia as the nation contends with the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today.
The Prime Minister said in a special televised message that the Government is amending the Act based on the power granted to it through the Emergency Ordinance.