KUALA LUMPUR – The antigen rapid test kit (RTK-Ag) should be made more affordable and accessible, said industry players following a directive for all manufacturing sector workers in enhanced movement control order areas to be swabbed twice a week.
Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI) secretary-general Datuk A.T. Kumararajah told The Vibes that the government, specifically the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti), should look into providing free Covid-19 screening.
“Miti is asking for it (testing twice a week). This is not industry-driven, but regulation-driven. I understand that the government said workers cannot be charged for these tests.
The current RTK-Ag test kits are going for RM60 to RM80 per person, and that will be a financial burden for employers. As it is, they are already ‘bleeding’ operational expenditure every month.
“If they have 50 workers, it will probably come up to five figures each month.”
He urged Putrajaya to provide a rebate to employers for footing the bill.
“In this economy, you can’t possibly expect employers to spend that amount of money on screening alone.
“The financial burden must be alleviated in one way or another, either through a rebate or making the screening free.”
MAICCI represents the interests of 36,000 members, and 10% of them are service providers to the manufacturing sector.
On June 25, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said the government is studying a proposal to return migrant worker levy payments to employers for bearing the cost of Covid-19 testing at the workplace.
He said he has proposed the matter to Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz and is awaiting the latter’s decision.
Mandatory tests expensive, a burden
Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia president Abdul Halim Husin agreed that mandatory Covid-19 swab tests are costly and burdensome, and said most small and medium enterprises (SMEs) cannot afford them.
“What’s needed is for the vaccination drive to be ramped up so that they can be vaccinated and are then able to carry out their duties.
“Providing subsidies is only one way. What’s more important is to make it (testing) more affordable for employers in the manufacturing sector, especially SMEs.”
He said the authorities should allow saliva-based tests soon, as this method is cheaper.
“This testing method has not been given the go-ahead by Malaysian authorities.
“We urge the government to speed up authorisation for these tests to be used, which can reduce SMEs’ expenses.”
Contrary to WHO’s updated guidance
The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) shared Halim’s sentiments, and expressed concern that regular Covid-19 screening is ineffective and contrary to established international best practices.
MEF president Datuk Syed Hussain Syed Husman said the latest standard operating procedure by Miti for manufacturers to test their workers twice a week should not be implemented.
“It does not make sense to swab workers twice a week since most manufacturers operate five days a week, leaving only three days for business operations.
“The high cost of the swab tests is also to be borne by employers. It is too much for them, especially in the current challenging economic situation.
With the test costing RM70 each, a manufacturer with 1,000 employees will have to pay RM140,000 to test all employees each week. The cost will be a whopping RM560,000 per month just for swab tests.”
The World Health Organisation’s updated guidance does not recommend the widespread screening of individuals who are asymptomatic due to the cost issue and general inefficacy, he said.
“We are also concerned that conducting repeated swab tests on employees may increase the risk of injury to the nasal and surrounding tissues, causing further health complications. And, it doesn’t make sense to require those already vaccinated to undergo swab tests.
“We are of the view that such tests should not be made mandatory for manufacturers to continue operations.” – The Vibes, July 14, 2021
