Factory denies tip-off after sources claim overnight pre-raid cleanup at dorms

 

A rubber glove factory in Klang allegedly moved workers staying in dormitories to a nearby hotel and did a cleanup exercise the night before a raid by authorities on their premises.

Sources claimed that the manufacturer had been tipped off by "government insiders".

However, a spokesperson for the company denied this.

According to one source, the factory's senior management allegedly arrived at the dormitories behind the factory, last night, to make some changes.

"Last night, senior management came all of a sudden, and from 70 people per room and many people per bed, now it's only 26 people per room (one person per bed instead of three).

"The whole night, they were improving the accommodations and moving people. The workers couldn't sleep," the source claimed.

Photos allegedly from before the cleanup showed that the rooms were cramped and messy.

But when authorities raided the dorms this morning, the rooms were seen to be much cleaner and tidier.

Some workers were seen sleeping on the bottom of bunk beds on thin foam mattresses.

However, others were seen sleeping on what appeared to be wooden boards, with most of the mattresses in the dorms removed.

The raid was jointly conducted by the Labour Department, Klang Municipal Council and the Klang District health office.

Media personnel also tagged along to cover the raid. They were not informed of the location beforehand.

Human Resources Ministry deputy director-general (operations) Mohd Asri Abdul Sahab declined to comment on the alleged leak of information.

"From the aspect of our operations, we have done it properly. As for other issues (concerning the alleged leak of information), I have no comment," Asri told the media.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the company also denied that they were tipped off.

"Rubbish, it's a baseless allegation," the spokesperson told the media when met separately.

He also said that while the accommodations were not a "five-star hotel", the workers still had a place to sleep, eat, bathe and socialise.

"There's room for improvement, but I don't really hear them (the workers) complaining so much," he said.

Asri said during the press conference that the factory had made an effort to comply with the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 in terms of hygiene and according to the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).

“There are many other elements under the Act which companies must adhere to.

"As you saw, one of the beds was a triple-decker, we had to use stairs to get up there. This is dangerous to workers," he said.

Under the law, employers must also provide a mattress of at least four inches thick, a pillow, a blanket and a private locker for their workers, he said.

“They must prepare hand sanitisers and thermometers. And, for example, say one room has 12 occupants, there should be a list of names stating as such,” Asri added.

Meanwhile, Klang District health officer Ili Syazwani Mohd Mashudi said the health office found several violations and was investigating other concerns before deciding whether to shut down the factory completely or just the dormitory within the factory.

Among the other factors being considered are the condition of transportation, the factory and the cafeteria.

“As for the hostel, we noted that it was not in compliance with certain things; for example, disinfection and sanitisation, which have to be done thrice a day and recorded.

“At the same time, when we visited the male hostel, we found one room where physical distancing was flouted.

"Yes, they did the markings, the ‘X’ sign is there, but it was not being practised in reality and they could not prove themselves with just one record from the factory operator. Those are indeed offences which we can compound.

“From what we saw, there is a likelihood that (this factory) could be shut down,” Ili Syazwani was quoted as saying by Malay Mail. - Mkini