No forced pre-departure quarantine for migrant workers, says Hartalega

 

Hartalega says the company allows all foreign workers to end their contacts with a week’s notice. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Glove maker Hartalega has denied allegations that it forces foreign workers to quarantine themselves without pay before they can return to their home countries.

In a statement to FMT, the company said employees who decide to leave the firm are paid until their last working day, with all foreign workers free to end their contracts with just a week’s notice.

Hartalega was responding to allegations by migrant worker activist Andy Hall, who said recently that he received information from multiple parties that the glove maker was imposing a mandatory but unpaid quarantine of at least 14 days before foreign workers were allowed to return to their countries.

“There is no restriction of movement or mandatory isolation whatsoever prior to their departure as claimed,” said a company spokesperson.

“Workers have access to all available facilities and are able to leave the company premises of their own volition.

“Only those testing positive for Covid-19 and their close contacts are required to go into quarantine as per SOPs set by the authorities.”

Hartalega said that amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, the company continues to provide care and support for foreign workers who are in transit to return home although they are no longer in its employ.

“This includes providing complimentary housing and paying for Covid-19 tests as and when required. This is part of our commitment to ensure that foreign workers are able to return to their home countries as safely as possible.

“Hartalega remains dedicated to the welfare of all our workers and will continue to ensure just and fair treatment for all workers,” it said.

In a statement last week, Hall questioned the legal basis for forcing workers into quarantine prior to their return since such measures are not required by Malaysian law. He also asked for clarification on their employment status during the period.

“It is important that policies that restrict foreign workers’ freedoms are proportionate, non-discriminatory and actually serve a genuine purpose relating to Covid-19 prevention and no other unrelated reasons,” he said.

He added that allegations or claims of involuntary detention or restriction of freedom of movement made by workers are potential indicators of forced labour as stated by the International Labour Organization and could lead to investigations by authorities abroad.

Hall’s statement came as Supermax Corporation became the latest Malaysian glove maker to be hit by an import ban. The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a withhold release order on imports from two of Supermax’s subsidiaries from entering the country on Oct 10, based on allegations of forced labour.

Top Glove, the world’s leading glove manufacturer, and another major Malaysian glove manufacturer, WRP Asia Pacific, faced a similar ban by the CBP over forced labour allegations in July 2020 and September 2019 respectively.

Both bans have since been lifted.

When contacted last week, a spokesman for the human resources ministry said it was looking into Hall’s claims regarding Hartalega. - FMT