New rules will ban workers’ quarters in low-cost housing

 

Quarters for foreign workers have often been criticised for being overcrowded. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: New guidelines for workers’ quarters will bar the use of low-cost houses and flats and those in the affordable category, according to the housing ministry.

The draft guidelines are to be presented to state governments at a meeting of the National Council for Local Government on Tuesday, the ministry said in a statement.

“Applications for accommodation and hostels for workers in housing areas are not allowed for residential units in the low-cost category, People’s Housing Projects and affordable housing category that includes apartments or public flats,” the ministry said, according to Bernama.

The guidelines also cover proposed accommodation in brownfield areas (derelict and abandoned premises) and new areas, as one of the long-term solutions for employee accommodation.

Procedures for short-term employee accommodation were approved in March for adoption by state governments and local authorities, especially in Peninsular Malaysia, for 2021 to 2023.

The ministry said the Selangor state government had agreed to fully adopt the procedure on July 2.

The rules set out six alternatives for short-term employee accommodation in existing premises, namely: accommodation in residential areas; hostels in residential areas; accommodation in shophouse units; accommodation or dormitories in office shops or business lots; in industrial premises; and dormitories for workers in construction sites.

The proposed ban on workers’ hostels in low-cost housing was reported to have been brought up by Selangor executive councillor Rodziah Ismail recently. - FMT