Ismail Sabri: Mandatory Covid-19 screening for all 1.7 million foreign workers in Malaysia

PETALING JAYA: All 1.7 million foreign workers in Malaysia are now required to undergo mandatory Covid-19 screening due to the high number of cases among them.

Effective Thursday (Nov 26), authorities will also start imposing a fine of RM50,000 per worker if the employers house foreign workers in crowded spaces.

Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the first phase of Covid-19 screening involving 888,342 foreign workers would be carried out in Selangor, Labuan, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Negri Sembilan.

"The Human Resources Ministry will start enforcing the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 beginning Thursday.

"Employers who flout the rules and regulations would be fined RM50,000 per worker," he told a press conference on Wednesday (Nov 25).