KUALA LUMPUR – Cramped living conditions are contributing to the coronavirus’ spread among construction workers in the Klang Valley, resulting in large clusters in recent days.
Institute of Clinical Research Malaysia’s Dr Arvinder-Singh H.S. told The Vibes that greater attention should be given to worker dormitories, as worksites are not necessarily where the virus is being transmitted.
“When construction sites are mentioned, it is because the workers are the ones getting sick. We have to first identify where they are getting (the virus), because it may not be at worksites.
“We must look into the conditions that these people are living in. We saw the same thing in Singapore among foreign workers there, because they are living in cramped areas with a lot of poverty.”
He said construction workers may not fully understand the health and safety standard operating procedures that should be observed due to the language barrier.
“This results in them breaking the rules with regard to accommodation.
“Health SOP education for foreign workers may need to be revamped. We may need to have important messages translated for them.”
In May, the Health Ministry found that a single apartment unit could house up to 30 foreign workers.
This was when Covid-19 clusters involving such workers living at Selangor Mansion, Malayan Mansion and Menara City One were detected.
Adrian Pereira, director of North-South Initiative, a group of consultants on labour migration, conflict resolution, marginal communities and youth empowerment, said the close proximity among workers is the main reason for the disease’s spread.
The problem is amplified by lax labour inspections, he said.
“Don’t sanction the workers or illegal immigrants, as catching them won’t help. Let them undergo health screenings without the Immigration Department’s involvement.”
The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) yesterday proposed that main contractors ensure all their workers undergo a Covid-19 swab test three days before returning to work.
According to CIDB and Health Ministry investigations, the rise in Covid-19 cases can be attributed to subcontractors moving workers between different construction sites.
In late August, the Human Resources Ministry announced new rules for worker dorms, with the minimum sleeping area for each person to be at least 3 sq m.
The Malay Mail reported that the maximum number of workers sharing a bathroom and toilet is six for non-dorm accommodation and 15 for dorms.
However, these regulations are not effective if there are more than 10 people living in a dorm, Malaysian Malay Contractors’ Association president Datuk Seri Mohamed Fadzill Hassan told The Vibes.
“What’s the point of having a 3 sq m sleeping area if there are more than 10 people in the dorm? The possibility of the virus spreading is still there.”
He said the government should consider giving work permits to the undocumented foreign workforce, as this will make it easier to regulate their living conditions.
“Haul up the workers without permits and get them registered. There are millions of them. At least, the government can collect revenue from this, as opposed to spending money to catch and detain them.”
On November 12, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin announced the Labour Recalibration Programme, which allows those without papers to become legal workers.
Through two recalibration plans, he said, the government is expected to collect RM95 million in compounds and other payments imposed on foreign workers and their employers. – The Vibes, November 17, 2020
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