KAJANG – A raid on a glove factory here today revealed its staff’s horrific living conditions, with Datuk Seri M. Saravanan likening the situation to “modern slavery”.
The human resources minister, who was present during the operation, witnessed firsthand the tiny, cramped rooms where the unnamed manufacturer's foreign workers live.
Officers from the Peninsular Malaysia Labour Department, Selangor Labour Department and state Health Department, too, were present.
One of the workers, who was asleep during the raid, said up to three people slept in one room.
The factory in Kg Sg Balak manufactures, among others, non-medical, latex nitrile and latex surgical gloves.
The worker dormitories are located behind the factory premises. To access the sleeping quarters, a mobile staircase is placed against the factory’s perimeter wall to reach a door.
After the raid, Saravanan told the media that the worker housing has the worst living conditions he has seen, comparing it to the British-owned plantations in the country prior to independence.
“I am very saddened by what I saw today. I think workers in the British plantations before independence had better living conditions. It’s basically modern slavery.”
He highlighted the dangers of living in such an environment, saying should a fire break out, the workers might not be able to get to safety quickly enough.
It is understood that the factory has 759 foreign and 22 local employees.
“We will take action against the employer, pursuant to the Workers Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990,” said Saravanan. – The Vibes, December 21, 2020
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