GEORGE TOWN – The Penang government plans to build 20 new hostels, with a total capacity to house up to 75,000 beds, for foreign workers in the next few years as part of efforts to ensure proper living conditions, especially in view of the persisting threat of Covid-19.
State housing committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said that five companies will construct the hostel projects, adding that it is a good measure to provide proper accommodation for the workers across the state.
He said that up to 3,500 beds are ready at present, at centres in Bukit Minyak on the mainland and in the Batu Maung area on the island.
The hostels will allow workers to live in hygienic conditions and with appropriate social distancing to prevent close contact, resulting in virus transmissions.
“We hope this will help us in the fight to contain the pandemic. Also, it is a step in the right direction for employers to ensure their workers are protected,” he said at a press conference here today.
Jagdeep said that the state will liaise with the private sector to ensure that foreign workers are allowed to stay in proper accommodations when working here.
However, many residents are now complaining about the presence of foreign workers in their neighbourhoods.
“We must understand that they (foreigners) are also humans. We will ensure that there will be emphasis on proper standard operating procedures to fight Covid-19 at the places where they will stay,” he said
On another matter, Jagdeep said that the local authorities have been instructed to ensure that the 65 Ramadan bazaars in the state are in compliance with necessary SOPs to guard against Covid-19 infections. – The Vibes, April 16, 2021
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