‘We have proof', says Saravanan after glovemaker denies workers live in squalid conditions

PETALING JAYA: Human Resources Minister M. Saravanan has dismissed a glove-manufacturing company's denial that hundreds of its workers are living in metal shipping containers in squalid conditions, which he had labelled as "modern slavery".

"Let them say what they want to say. We have enough evidence to enforce the rule of law.

"It is common for any employer to deny it, that will (only) force us to publish more pictures of the condition.

"Anyway, we had enough media during the visit," said Saravanan when contacted, who took part in a multi-agency raid at a Brightway Holding's subsidiary in Kajang.

Ministry officials on Monday (Dec 21) conducted the raid on a glove-making factory in Kajang, just outside Kuala Lumpur, where they found workers living in cramped, dirty shipping containers stacked behind the premises, according to earlier media reports.

A ministry spokeswoman confirmed the reports, adding that 781 workers were employed at the factory, most of whom were migrants.

Authorities at the raid found that the owner of the factory had allegedly violated several laws including the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act (Act 446).

"We are studying the offences. We hope they do the necessary things they are supposed to do, including conducting Covid-19 tests," said Saravanan.

The factory has been ordered to shut down from Dec 24-30 to help curb the spread of Covid-19.

Brightway Holdings Sdn Bhd had confirmed the raid had taken place early on Monday at its subsidiary LA Glove, but had denied its workers were living in containers and said it had fewer workers than the number given by the spokesman.