Ministry delays stricter oversight of workers' housing despite Covid-19 outbreaks

The Human Resources Ministry today announced that it will postpone the implementation of the amended Workers' Minimum Standards and Housing and Amenities Act 1990 despite concerns that quarters in poor living conditions were fuelling the spread of Covid-19 among migrant workers.

Human Resource Minister M Saravanan said the amendments, which were supposed to come into force on June 1, will be postponed to August 31.

"This is to give employers the space to make the necessary preparations," he said in a statement.

The amendment, which was approved by Parliament in July last year and gazetted in September the same year, expands the act's oversight of workers' accommodation to all industries.

Previously, the law only covered accommodation of workers in the plantations and mining industry that involves an area of more than 20 acres.

While workers' accommodations are already required to comply with local council standards and laws on safety, the Workers' Minimum Standards and Housing and Amenities Act 1990 is expected to further improve regulation of such accommodations.

The decision comes amid a series of Covid-19 outbreaks at construction sites in the Klang Valley.

Health Ministry director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah had attributed the outbreaks to the cramped quarters' migrant workers live in and earlier today called for the issue to be addressed.

Saravanan said the amendments will improve on existing guidelines which covers the standard size of space that should be provided for workers' accommodations as well as issues of security and cleanliness.

"Foreign workers have a high risk of Covid-19 infections as they are cramped in a single unit of accommodation with poor cleanliness.

"The Human Resources Ministry agrees with the Malaysian Medical Association on the need for a standard operating procedure to facilitate the implementation of the minimum standard of accommodation and amenities for workers in all sectors in the country.

"It is hoped that the enforcement of the amendment, including the new rules on the standard for workers' accommodation and amenities can curb the spread of Covid-19 in line with Recommendation 115 (Workers Housing Recommendation, 1961) of the International Labour Organisation," he said.

Saravanan said the amendments will be fully enforced on September 1.

The amended law covers Peninsular Malaysia and the federal territories while rules for Sabah and Sarawak are governed by the respective states. - Mkini