THE establishment of centralised labour quarters (CLQ) for registered foreigners is a must as part of the commitment to uphold decent living conditions for the foreign labour workforce.
However, if the private sector cannot manage the CLQ well, the authorities have no choice but to revoke the operating licences, as the government does not want disturbances at CLQ to disrupt the peace enjoyed by neighbouring residents, said Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong.
“The CLQ is important, but it cannot affect the lives of Malaysians living nearby. We want the local employers to provide decent living conditions for their foreign workers, but they must also ensure the welfare and rights of their workers,” said the Human Resources Minister.
He said the ministry will not hesitate to revoke the operating licences of CLQ and Temporary Labour Quarters (TLQ) if operators fail to comply with the provisions under the Employees’ Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446).
He was speaking after visiting the TLQ at the Summit Hotel in Bukit Mertajam where workers were involved in a riot and the police was forced to intervene.
Sim, who is the Bukit Mertajam MP, said that action is forthcoming pending the conclusion of the police investigation.
The riots broke out when workers were unhappy with a supervisor, who had penalised them and for not meeting certain promises made earlier.
Police detained 46 foreigners for causing the riot at the TLQ near the town centre.
“The ruckus has caused concerns among the people in Bukit Mertajam. So I want to remind every operator to make sure their hostel is in order,” said Sim.
Sim said the policy on workers’ quarters in Penang was to centralise housing of foreign workers and avoid affecting the lives of residents
Sim also reminded employers of foreign workers to ensure their workers’ welfare is not neglected and they are not bullied by any party. – June 23, 2025.
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