KUALA LUMPUR: A new digital card is set to be a game-changer for the Malaysian construction industry as it also keeps track of all workers on site, says Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
He said that the new Construction Personnel Registration Card is set to benefit more than one million workers registered under the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), as it is an enhanced version of the current card, now managed manually by industry stakeholders.
“The card allows us to accurately verify whether workers are on-site or not," Nanta said after launching the card here on Thursday (Dec 4).
"Even with the new card launched today, workers can still use the old card until it expires. Then they will migrate to the new one. The systems will be harmonised in stages," he added.
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The Construction Personnel Registration Card is widely known as a "green card" in the industry, as registration under CIDB is mandatory under the CIDB Act 1994.
The newly launched card is a digital version with mobile applications.
"We have a special committee co-chaired by the Home Ministry and the Works Ministry, and one of the main issues we face is tracking labour," Nanta continued.
"CIDB’s move (with the new card) will help address problems we have been facing for years.
"Through this personnel registration card, each worker’s identity will be verified, their information securely recorded in the CIDB system, and their financial access linked directly to an e-wallet.
"One major challenge in construction is managing attendance at work sites. Manual methods such as name lists and logbooks are not only prone to error but may also pose safety risks.
"Therefore, the site attendance feature introduced in this application provides a robust solution. Attendance and worker safety records are verified digitally, reducing issues related to undocumented workers, enhancing enforcement, and strengthening construction site governance.
"In short, this digital attendance system enables us to know who is on-site, where they are, and their check-in and check-out times. This is extremely important during emergencies, inspections, or safety incidents," he said.
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The minister said workers who have the card also enjoy a complete set of digital services, including an e-wallet, domestic and international money transfers, bill payments, mobile top-ups, as well as a site attendance system – all within one integrated platform.
This registration is recorded digitally through CIDB’s CIMS system to ensure that accurate, updated and reliable information is always available.
"To date, CIDB has registered a total of 1,168,104 construction personnel, consisting of 457,522 foreign workers and 710,582 local workers.
"All registered personnel possess a special identification card, and today we are introducing new high-technology features embedded in this card," Nanta said, adding that workers using the digital card need no longer worry about late or unpaid salary, as an e-wages system is also included.
"It ensures wage payments are carried out fairly, transparently, and in a trackable manner," he added.
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He said that CIDB had conducted a pilot test with five construction companies before the launch and the card will now be offered nationwide for all firms to adopt.
The minister also said productivity can now be tracked and measured, to enable the setting up of a national database.
"This system will enable monitoring of working hours, workforce movement, productivity trends, green card compliance, and project performance.
"Strong data will support better planning, more accurate forecasting, and more effective policymaking.
"For government agencies, we gain more reliable workforce data, improved site safety and enforcement, and a stronger reputation for Malaysia in ethical labour practices.
"The Construction Labour Exchange Centre Berhad (CLAB), a subsidiary of CIDB, will play an important role in promoting the adoption of voluntary digital features offered through the digital card," he said.
The digital platform and related apps mean that construction workers no longer have to rely solely on cash payments and physical documents, he noted.
At the launch, CIDB chief executive officer Zainora Zainal said that although the board had invested millions to develop the card, for now, it is not mandatory and free for all companies willing to use it.
"In 2017, the system was digitised. Since then, we have developed new features, but it took time because we needed to integrate with other government systems and run pilot tests.
"Now, after several pilots, we are launching it. The system will continue improving over time," she said, adding that it helps uplift the industry's environment, social, governance (ESG) standards.
"We are not making it mandatory yet.
"For now, we want industry players to adopt it voluntarily, especially because ESG reporting is becoming common.
"Many large companies are already interested. Once the big projects adopt it, the smaller subcontractors will follow.
"The mandatory requirement is registration of workers in CIDB’s system. The physical green card itself is not mandatory. It is a tool," added Zainora, who believes Malaysia is the first country to have such a card.
