Real solutions needed in workers’ housing woes

 

Many workers’ dormitories are crowded and cramped, but employers say local authorities are also part of the problem.

PETALING JAYA: The government needs to ensure that long-term solutions are found to the issue of poor workers’ accommodation to ensure that these problems, that preceded the pandemic but have now been exposed, do not continue, say employer and workers’ groups.

With a large proportion of Covid-19 clusters centred on workers’ housing in various industries, the standard of accommodation offered by employers has come under increased scrutiny.

It was previously reported that some housing facilities for workers were found to be overpopulated and rundown, with residents subjected to substandard living conditions.

Soh Thian Lai, president of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers said that companies have long had trouble securing land and getting approvals from the local government, calling on them to expedite the process.

“Employers have been left to deal with the issue on their own, making do with whatever space they can source to house their workers with very little facilitation by the authorities.

“Local authorities should also consider providing provisional approvals based on the renovation plans so the application for the Certificate for Accommodation can proceed and be issued in time when the space is ready for workers to move in.”

Michael Kang, Small and Medium Sized Enterprise Association president, added that the government should take a page from Singapore and build centralised dormitories that SMEs can rent, as businesses often have trouble finding appropriate living quarters.

“It’s very expensive to build your own accommodation, many cannot afford it, but when we try to find areas to house workers in residential areas, we often face a lot of opposition.”

“It’s also a big commitment. If an SME spends money to put up its own facility, but then it automates a lot of jobs, it is left with a building which cost a lot but is not needed any more.”

Deputy president of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress, Mohd Effendy Abdul Ghani said that enforcement must not end when the pandemic subsides, lest the government risk businesses falling back into old habits.

He said that while there are already “strong laws” such as the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990, they are only as effective as the measures ensuring compliance.

“A law might be tough on paper, but that’s no use if the authorities aren’t making sure people are obeying it.” - FMT