The Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) has opened 19 investigation papers against rubber glove manufacturer Top Glove for failing to comply with the Workers' Minimum Standard of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446).
This was after the department conducted simultaneous operations on the glove manufacturer's workers' accommodations in five states, namely Perak, Kedah, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, and Johor, on Nov 26.
JTKSM director-general Mohd Asri Abd Rahman said raids on six Top Glove subsidiary companies revealed several offences.
"The main offence was that the companies failed to apply for accommodation certifications from JTKSM under Section 24D of Act 446," he said in a media conference.
Other violations include dense accommodation and hostel, poor ventilation and living conditions.
Top Glove was in the spotlight after about 3,400 workers in Meru contracted Covid-19 which led to the workers' accommodations being put under enhanced movement control order (MCO).
The enhanced MCO was initially imposed from Nov 17 to 30, but the National Security Council had announced the extension of the order until Dec 14.
Other violations include dense accommodations and hostels plus poor ventilation and living conditions.
Under Act 446, employers who are found guilty could face a maximum fine of RM50,000 for each offence.
The act was amended in June to mandate minimum space requirements for workers' accommodations, basic facilities, safety and hygiene standards.
The Human Resources Ministry had given employers a grace period until Aug 31 to comply with the act with enforcement beginning Sept 1.
Meanwhile, Asri urged employers who provide accommodations for their employees to step forward to apply for a certificate of accommodation.
To ease the process, JTKSM has formed six committees which involve employers' associations from the various sub-sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, services and construction.
"We have asked the employers' associations to inform their members to apply for the certificate of accommodation. At the same time, our enforcement team will also conduct checks from time to time," he said.
JTKM targets all related employers to have the certificate of accommodation by the end of next year. - FMT
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