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PETALING JAYA: Top Glove said the Human Resources Ministry had previously said it would use an educational approach before enforcing the new housing standards for workers next year, in the wake of 19 investigative documents being opened against it by violations of the law.
In a statement today, Top Glove provided links to media reports dated September 8 in which Human Resources Minister M Saravanan said errant employers would not be fined under the amendments to the Employment Act. Minimum Standards of Housing and Services for Workers of 1990 (Law 446) as the application of the act was still in its early stages.
“Top Glove would like to clarify that efforts to seek more accommodations and improve accommodations for existing workers are ongoing in light of the large number of workers we employ,” he said.
“We expect to complete the worker housing improvement exercise around December 31, 2020. This is in line with the government’s educational focus on employers in various sectors until the end of this year (2020), so that they can comply with the Law 446 ”, said the company, providing links to the two reports in Bernama and The Sun.
Saravanan was quoted as saying the ministry did not intend to fine employers for failing to meet minimum space requirements for worker accommodation, basic facilities, and safety and hygiene standards, stating that its efforts “would eventually fail. “If only they focused on penalizing employers for non-compliance.
Saravanan also said it was the ministry’s responsibility to educate and encourage employers to comply with Law 446, which it promised to use at its discretion.
Employers found guilty of violating Law 446 can be fined RM50,000 per worker.
On November 25, Chief Security Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the human resources ministry would begin to enforce amendments to Law 446, following an increase in Covid-19 cases related to construction sites and factories.
At a press conference today, the Director General of the Peninsular Malaysia Department of Labor (JTKSM), Asri Ab Rahman, said that 19 investigative documents had been opened against Top Glove under Law 446 involving six of the subsidiaries. of the company in five states: Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Kelantan and Selangor.
Top Glove said it had spent about RM 20 million buying 100 apartment units for the workers over the past two months to ensure they adhere to Law 446.
He added that this was in addition to having previously invested in 100 two-story houses and hostels with full facilities, including in-house dining, ATMs, hair salons and convenience stores, for a total estimated value of RM50 million.
