No cutting wages for workers’ Covid-19 screenings, says minister

 

There have been allegations that some employers had cut their workers’ salary to pay for the mandatory Covid-19 screening.

PETALING JAYA: Employers cannot deduct the cost of Covid-19 screenings from their workers’ salary, nor ask the workers to fork out the payment themselves.

Senior minister for security Ismail Sabri Yaakob said any employer who does so will face serious action from the human resources ministry.

“I was told by the human resources ministry, employers cannot take such action. I was also made to understand that many employers still refuse to pay the costs for screening their workers.

“I was informed that the ministry will set up an online help service, so that workers who face such discrimination from their employer can lodge a complaint with the human resources ministry,” he said during a press conference today.

He was responding to allegations that some employers had cut their workers’ salary to pay for the mandatory Covid-19 screening.

Ismail said employers were also instructed to prepare suitable workers’ accommodation to avoid another Covid-19 workplace cluster.

“I was also made to understand that there may be amendments (to the relevant law), and emergency ordinances, to compel employers to provide good accommodation and housing for their workers,” he said.

Among the proposals was to use one-star or two-star low-cost hotels to place the workers, including foreign workers, to help with the overcrowding at certain quarters.

He added, however, that the human resources ministry was still having discussions with employers on the matter. - FMT