THE move by Penang to allow formal foreign worker quarters to be built in local housing estates is part of an international standard imposed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on all countries, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Chow said that local employers, in this case manufacturers, must ensure that there is a living standard and code, which is applicable to all foreign workers under their charge.
He said this when asked about the latest on the protest from Teluk Kumbar residents over the move to build quarters for an estimated 32,680 foreign workers.
It was reported that the Chong Company Sdn Bhd will build a 27-storey hostel building at Tingkat Teluk Kumbar, which will have shop lots and a recreational area on the first and second floors.
Zantalite Enterprise (M) Sdn Bhd will rezone two lots at Mukim 9, Teluk Kumbar from general housing, beach reserves and existing road zones to a general business zone, and increase the height of the hostel building from five to 30 floors.
To this, Chow told a press conference that the bigger project may not take place, as it was just in the planning stage but everything is now being scrutinised.
"We will handle this issue on a step-by-step basis," Chow said after attending the monthly meeting of the state civil service at The Top in Komtar.
Present were his two deputies Jagdeep Singh Deo and Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid as well as State Secretary Datuk Rosli Isa.
Chow said that the state would study the objections over the two projects to house foreign workers while at the same time, he would be meeting a delegation of political parties and resident representatives over the matter.
"Yesterday, I met with the Balik Pulau Umno division and briefed them so they can understand the facts rather than the wrongly planted issues."
Jagdeep mentioned that such quarters were already built in Penang, on the mainland in Bukit Minyak.
Under the ILO, workers must be given hospitable living quarters with good access to social amenities and it dissuades the setting up of accommodation too near the factories or inside cramped spaces.
On the issue of when the state will unveil the Local Plan for Penang Island, Jagdeep said that the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) was appointing consultants to redo the proposed draft before a public hearing and briefing commences.
It may take up to six months of due process, said Jagdeep. - The Vibes, January 9, 2024.
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