KUALA LUMPUR: A new digital card has been unveiled by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to improve the management of construction workers by both the government and construction companies.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the new Construction Personnel Registration Card is set to benefit more than one million workers registered under CIDB, as it is an upgraded version of the current card, which is managed manually by construction industry stakeholders.
At the launch here yesterday, Nanta said that registration of construction workers under CIDB is mandatory under the CIDB Act (Act 520). The current practice is reflected in the issuance of the Construction Personnel Registration Card, commonly known in the construction industry as the “Green Card”.
The newly launched card is now a digital version that is based on an app.
“The card allows us to accurately verify whether workers are on site. Even though we launched the new card today, workers can continue using the old card until it expires, after which they will migrate to the new system. The transition will be harmonised in stages.
“We have a special committee co-chaired by the Home Ministry and the Works Ministry. One of our main challenges has been tracking labour. CIDB’s move (with the new card) will help address issues we have faced 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 to an e-wallet.
“A major challenge in the construction sector is managing attendance at sites. Manual methods, such as name lists and logbooks, are prone to errors and may pose safety risks.
“The site attendance feature 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,” said Nanta, adding that this digitalisation significantly improves site management.
“This system enables us to monitor who is on site and track check-in and check-out times. This is extremely important during emergencies, inspections or safety incidents. The digital platform also supports seamless domestic and international money transfers, bill payments and mobile service top-ups,” said Nanta.
“To date, CIDB has registered 1,168,104 construction personnel, including 457,522 foreign workers and 710,582 local workers. All registered personnel have a special identification card, and today we are introducing new high-technology features embedded in this card.”
The digital platform is the collaboration of Construction Labour Exchange Centre Bhd (CLAB), Bayo Pay and MBSB Bank.
At the same event, CIDB CEO Zainora Zainal said that although CIDB had invested millions to develop the digital platform, it is not mandatory for companies 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.
“For now, we want industry players to adopt it voluntarily, especially because ESG reporting is becoming common.
“Many large companies are already interested. Once major projects adopt it, smaller subcontractors are likely to follow,” said Zainora, who believes Malaysia is the first country to introduce such a card.
