NSC tells ministries to jointly resolve foreign workers’ housing issue

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Security Council (NSC) has requested several ministries work together to resolve issues surrounding accommodations for foreign workers, says Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof (pic).

The decision comes in light of the spread of Covid-19 among foreign workers, particularly among those housed in workers’ quarters at construction sites.

"The NSC held a special meeting on Wednesday (Nov 18) night and among others, agreed that the Housing and Local Government Ministry and Human Resources Ministry draft a comprehensive plan for foreign workers housing, accommodation and facilities," he said when answering a question by Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (PH-Ledang) in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Nov 19).

On preventing the spread of the virus among foreign workers in construction sites, Mohd Redzuan said that immediate action will be taken to address the issue, particularly in Covid-19 red zones.

Among the measures, he said, was the screening of foreign workers and enforcement of the SOP (standard operating procedure) related to Covid-19.

He also said that enforcement of the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act is crucial in ensuring workers’ accommodations and facilities are provided by employers.

The Act came into force on Sept 1 this year and requires employers to obtain a certificate of accommodation from the Labour Department of Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM).

Concerns over spread of Covid-19 among foreign workers were highlighted recently when 460 out of 469 cases on Sunday (Nov 16) in Kuala Lumpur were traced to the Damalela construction site cluster.

On Monday (Nov 19), glove maker Top Glove recorded 214 cases at its workers' hostel.