One-third of foreign workers in Klang Valley have no protection against typhoid

Foreign workers in Kuala Lumpur. - Filepic

TOO MANY foreign workers in the Klang Valley have not been vaccinated against typhoid, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.

He blamed employers for the predicament, saying that they were “taking shortcuts” to save themselves money and were putting people at risk.

Checks jointly conducted by the ministry and Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL) showed that more than 30% of foreign workers were not vaccinated, he said.

He said that among Malaysian workers, only 3% were unvaccinated.

“The difference is obvious. Some employers are taking advantage and shortcuts.

“I hope they take this (vaccinations) seriously and make right choices,” he said.

It is compulsory for restaurant owners and food vendors to have their workers vaccinated against typhoid, he said.

Dr Subramaniam said that under the Infectious Disease Prevention Act and DBKL’s Food Handlers Provision, employers who flouted the law could be fined.

He said more than 1,000 business premises were checked recently and warning notices were issued to some.

“We did not close shops. We have given them a chance to right their wrongs.

“But if it continues, we will take action,” he said.

According to him, there are always some typhoid cases in the country.

“But this time, there was an outbreak in some places and it became an issue,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby.