SHAH ALAM: Leading disposable rubber gloves manufacturer, Top Glove Corporation Bhd (Top Glove) said it would extend full cooperation to the relevant authorities over factory workers' accommodations in Ipoh, Perak.
This follows the unsatisfactory situation finding by the Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia of its Ipoh factory workers' accommodations on Thursday.
"Top Glove wishes to clarify that we are in the process of improving the living quarters of our workers, to meet the requirements of the Workers' Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446).
"Part of our efforts towards this for our workers in Ipoh, was the rental of eight units of new shoplot hostels. Six have been occupied while another two are in the process of being set up for the workers.
"The exercise to move workers in is ongoing and expected to be completed by early December 2020", Top Glove said in a statement, here, today.
The exercise to further improve the workers' living conditions it said began in July this year and is expected to be completed by next month.
It said that efforts to source for more accommodation and to improve existing worker accommodations is ongoing.
"We understand that our workforce is the Company's greatest asset and are committed to continue working closely with the relevant authorities to make the necessary improvements towards ensuring the safety and well-being of our workers," it said.
On Thursday, the department during an operation in Ipoh found the glove manufacturing company to be in violation of the Act 446. The offences included the company's failure to obtain accommodation acknowledgement letter from the department, overcrowding and unsanitary conditions.
Its Labour Standards director Mohd Asri Abdul Wahab said that under Act 446, a double-storey house with three or four rooms could only accommodate between 10 and 12 people, depending on its size.
"However, during the inspection of all the 13 hostels, the living and dining rooms were being used for sleeping. We found beds and mattresses there. Under this Act, workers are only allowed to use the provided rooms for sleeping," he said.
Asri said the department would carry out further investigation including statement being taken from the workers and employer before opening an investigation paper.
"If the company is found guilty, the employer could be fined a maximum of RM50,000 per worker," he added.