Build more centralised living quarters on industrial land, says MP

 

A brochure showing the 15-storey centralised living quarters to be built for workers in Balakong, Selangor.

PETALING JAYA: An MP has called for more centralised living quarters (CLQs) for workers to be built on industrial land nationwide rather than in residential areas.

Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming said building these CLQs on industrial land would make it convenient for workers travelling to work, calling for this to be done in states with large industrial estates with many migrant workers.

In a statement, the DAP MP said this would also be “less intrusive” to local residents who might oppose setting up these living quarters in residential areas.

He said the CLQs should comply with the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 to ensure workers in the manufacturing sector were treated well and to circumvent any accusations of mistreatment.

“We have witnessed action taken by the US government against many glove manufacturers in Malaysia because of such accusations.

“More recently, a Johor Bahru-based supplier of components to Dyson, a global manufacturer of high-end electrical appliances, was removed as the company’s supplier because of accusations of violation of labour laws,” he said.

Ong pointed out that the Selangor government had recently embarked on building the first CLQ for factory workers in Kampung Baru Balakong – a 15-storey building with 598 units capable of housing 3,600 workers.

He said the CLQ will provide additional amenities for workers staying there, including a clinic, supermarket, multipurpose hall, parking space for buses, perimeter fencing and security personnel.

He said state governments and Putrajaya should work closely to identify how to incentivise this initiative among the private sector. - FMT