Top Glove has confirmed that its workers' hostels in Ipoh, Perak were raided by the Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) yesterday.
The department reportedly found the hostels to be unsanitary and overcrowded, in breach of the Workers’ Minimum Standard of Housing and Amenities Act 1990.
In a statement today, the publicly listed rubber glove manufacturer said it will cooperate with the authorities and is working to improve workers’ living quarters to ensure compliance.
“Part of our efforts towards this for our workers in Ipoh was the rental of eight units of new shop lot hostels. Six have been occupied while another two are in the process of being set up for the workers.
“The exercise to move workers in is ongoing and expected to be completed by end of November 2020,” it said.
Top Glove will continue to source for more accommodation to house its workers, it added.
“We understand that our workforce is the company’s greatest asset and we are committed to continue working closely with the relevant authorities to make the necessary improvements towards ensuring the safety and well-being of our workers,” it said.
The government began enforcing the act - recently amended to require employers to ensure minimum standards for migrant worker dormitories - on Wednesday.
Working conditions at Top Glove, the world’s largest rubber glove manufacturer, have been in the spotlight after its Klang dormitories became the site of the largest Covid-19 cluster in Malaysia to date.
According to Health Ministry figures, the Teratai cluster recorded 4,093 cases as of yesterday. One patient is presently in the intensive care unit.
Human Resources Minister M Saravanan recently described the accommodation provided to Top Glove workers as being in “terrible condition".
In response, the company said it has spent tens of millions of ringgit on improving staff accommodation and took good care of its workers.
US Customs and Border Protection previously imposed sanctions on exports from the glove manufacturer, citing concerns over its workers' housing conditions. - Mkini
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