GEORGE TOWN – The Penang Malaysian Trades Union Congress has called on the Health Ministry to conduct Covid-19 tests on all workers in the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, following the closure of several factories there after infections were detected.
The chapter’s secretary, K. Veeriah, said the authorities must be ahead of the curve to contain the third wave, which is more infectious than the previous two.
Penang has logged almost 2,000 coronavirus cases, with five of its nine clusters linked to industrial estates.
“Covid-19 does not distinguish between nationalities. We cannot hide under the false pretence that only foreign workers or prisoners are getting infected.
“Working and living beside such people are Malaysians. They can be easily infected.”
A worker at a fruit stall near Penang Hospital tested positive for the virus this week, while a multinational corporation was forced to suspend operations after several of its workers contracted the disease. The Health Ministry has confirmed 21 cases among the 2,000 people employed at the factory.
The best way to contain Covid-19 is prevention, said Veeriah, urging all factories in areas identified as clusters to have their workers, both foreign and local, tested.
He also called on the Malaysian Employers’ Federation to compel companies to get their employees screened.
“The more we procrastinate, the greater the number of cases. We need to cut the transmission of this virus before it inflicts more damage to public health and our economy.” – The Vibes, November 29, 2020
