LUMUT, Jan 16 — Almost 1,000 workers were today found staying at a rubber gloves factory workers’ quarters meant for much less at two separate locations here and the facilities also do not have accommodation certificates from the Peninsula Malaysia Labour Department (JTKSM).
JTKSM Legal and Enforcement Division director Zaini Yaakob said the conditions clearly flouted the provision under the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446).
‘’Indeed, our inspection showed congestions whereby a bedroom which should only have two occupants is shared by more than four workers,’’ he said after conducting an inspection at both the workers quarters here yesterday.
Zaini said all the six blocks at the two workers quarters were found to be clean.
However, some requirements were still absent such as beds and mattresses while some beds were placed in the sitting rooms and not in the bedrooms.
As a result of the operation, JTKSM would open an investigation paper on the employer or centralised accommodation provider who failed to meet the provisions under the act, he said.
He said the three-hour operation starting from 3pm was carried out based on public complaints on the congestions at the two facilities.
‘’Further investigation is still being carried out and discussions will be held with the employers to take steps to overcome the problem in the short term,’’ he added.
He said the three-hour integrated operation comprising JTKSM, police and several agencies including the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) and local authority were conducted on the two workers’ quarters in Kampung Acheh, Setiawan.
— Bernama
