KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities is working with leading industry players to create the best environment for Malaysia's glove industry, its minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin said.
Zuraida said the ministry is addressing negative issues related to labour by taking a proactive approach in tackling social compliance matters.
"On Worker' Rights Charter, efforts have been made to comply to Act 446, which provides for minimum standards of housing and accommodation for workers," she said in a statement.
Zuraida added that the ministy isvlooking forward to engaging with relevant international authorities to counteract the recent foreign labour allegations.
"In return, we hope this will encourage industry players to take care of their workers with the relevant industry practice and create a safe and healthy working environment."
The minister led the discussion on current developments in the rubber industry and challenges faced in the rubber glove sector with the Malaysian Rubber Board, Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association and rubber glove industry captains on November 15.
Also present at the meeting were Malaysian Rubber Council chief executive officer Nor Hizwan Ahmad and its management.
The issues discussed include workers shortage and output capacity, which has been constrained since 2019 leading to an estimated loss of more than RM30 billion.
The ministry is also looking into efforts to enhance waste disposal management to continue to circulate natural resources to produce new products made from the recycled materials such as rubber gloves.