KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) has slammed Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba for alleging that employers couldn’t care less when it comes to their workers’ welfare.
Its president, Datuk Syed Hussain Syed Husman said it is unfair to single out employers for not allowing their workers to undergo home quarantine after they have been classified close contacts of Covid-19 patients.
“Employers are responsible citizens and are doing their utmost by taking the prescribed steps to curb the spread of Covid-19.
“It is not right to paint the picture that employers, in general, are indifferent and are not following the established SOPs.
“Employers have, in many ways, played a positive role in ensuring that they support the government and to protect their greatest assets, which, in this case, are their employees,” he said in a statement today.
Syed Hussain said the MEF has briefed all its members on the current pandemic situation and fully supports efforts to curb the virus’ spread.
“As long as the instructions provided by the authorities are clear and consistent, most employers will follow,” he said.
Syed Hussain also said that home quarantine is not the only option for employers as the International Trade and Industry Ministry has introduced the Safe@Work voluntary programme for the manufacturing and related services industries.
Under the programme, close contacts can still attend work under a “safe bubble” concept.
He said while the impact of a blanket MCO will be devastating to businesses and the economy, it is understood that there is a dire need to curb the rising number of daily Covid-19 infections.
“Any decisions and statements towards this end must also take into consideration the interest of businesses and preservation of livelihoods,” he added.
He was responding to Dr Adham’s warning to employers not to prevent workers from undergoing self-quarantine while waiting for their Covid-19 test results, as they can be penalised under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).
He had issued the warning after the number of workplace-related Covid-19 clusters surged to 44 in week 18 (May 2-8) from 24 clusters in week 17 (April 25-May 1).
The trend, he said, was worrying as it represents an 83.3% increase in the period. – The Vibes, May 11, 2021
