Govt mulls compulsory Covid-19 testing for more migrant workers

 

The government is looking at the possibility of implementing compulsory Covid-19 testings for migrant workers from other industries besides those working as construction workers and security guards, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.

This came after a construction site in Kuala Lumpur recorded 460 positive cases as of yesterday, and 215 workers tested positive for Covid-19 at a rubber gloves factory in Klang.

At his daily briefing today, Ismail Sabri said the Human Resources Ministry is working on formulating stricter rules for more business operations that hire the foreign workers in an overall manner.

"We had imposed a compulsory test for foreign workers in construction sites and for security guards during the enhanced movement control order. Now, it is still mandatory for them to carry out the tests.

"At the special meeting (of the National Security Council) today, we, however, discussed with the Human Resources Ministry so we can look at it in overall (perspective) instead of only construction sectors and security guards," Ismail Sabri said.

The ministry was told to provide details on the implementation of compulsory testing, including who should pay for the test and the capacity of the laboratories in handling 1.7 million migrant workers in the country, he said.

Out of 1.7 million migrant workers, only one million workers are covered by the Social Security Organisation (Socso), which would partially pay RM150 for the test.

"Who should pay for the balance of the (fee?). How about the balance of 700,000 workers, who should pay for their test? The workers themselves or the employers?" added Ismail Sabri.

Asked if the government wished to strengthen its surveillance on the operation of construction sites and factories, he gave an affirmative answer.

"Yes, we do propose to strengthen (the surveillance), not only for the construction industry but for other industries too. How so? Just wait for the Human Resources (Ministry) to table (its proposal)," he said.

Ismail Sabri said the proposal by the Human Resources Ministry should be able to contain the Covid-19 outbreak from the migrant workers.

"We look at them as being quite risky as 20 to 30 of them could reside at the same (house, so Covid could) spread faster.

"So, we have to look at how to carry out swab tests and screening. Secondly, we want to restrict their movement so they could not wander around," he said.

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said the health ministry was reviewing whether to terminate the conditional movement control order imposed on most of the states and federal territories.

He said the partial lockdown order could be lifted if Covid-19 is under control.

All states, except Pahang, Perlis and Kelantan are being placed under conditional lockdown until Dec 6. - Mkini