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PETALING JAYA: The 1,000 RM fine imposed on a glove factory in Klang for failing to comply with the standard operating procedure (SOP) imposed to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission has sparked public outcry.
Pertubuhan Ikatan Usahawan Kecil dan Sederhana Malaysia (Ikhlas) Chairman Datuk Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah said it reflected the glaring disparity between fines imposed against members of the public and against companies.
“How can it serve as a deterrent if wealthy corporate criminals are set free with a simple slap on the wrist?
“Even ordinary men on the street were reportedly fined much more than that for violating the SOP,” he said.
The Port Klang Department of Labor and the Klang Department of Health had recently discovered that there were no records of disinfection activities and disinfection processes at the factory.
Ridzuan said that factory operators should be charged if they fail to implement measures to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission among their workers.
“This is a serious public health matter. Hefty fines must be imposed to serve as a deterrent,” he said.
Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah also agreed that ordinary people were fined up to RM8,000 for disobeying SOPs, but the factory in Klang was only fined RM1,000.
He also pointed to the disparity in actions taken against different factories for a similar crime.
A glove manufacturer in Kajang was forced to shut down its operations for seven days after authorities discovered that its 781 foreign workers were housed in two stacked three-story container blocks.
She said the factory operator violated the Minimum Standards of Housing and Services for Workers Act.
Top Glove was taken to court after it registered one of Malaysia’s largest Covid-19 groups, with 5,147 of its workers in Klang testing positive for Covid-19 earlier this month.
“Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd was ordered to close on December 21 after 563 additional workers tested positive just days after 427 workers tested positive.
“(Therefore) it is shocking that the authorities have only penalized the Port Klang glove factory a meager RM1,000 for violating SOPs,” he said.
Marina also rebuked corporate actors who had neglected the safety and health of their workers.
It is a long-standing effective monitoring system and dissuasive penalties are imposed in view of the high number of Covid-19 cases reported daily, he said.
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