KUALA LUMPUR – Effective today, all employers who hire foreign workers holding temporary employment visiting passes have to ensure that they undergo mandatory Covid-19 screening.
In a statement, the Human Resources Ministry said all costs, fees, charges, funding and expenses for Covid-19 tests and quarantine for the foreign workers shall be borne by employers in full.
The ministry pledged to conduct continuous inspections to ensure all employers comply with the directive for Covid-19 test, and subsequent quarantine for their foreign workers.
“Employers who fail to comply with these directives may be fined up to RM1,000 or imprisoned for a term not exceeding six months or both.
“Employers could also be compounded. The ministry will not hesitate to take legal action should the employer fail to comply with the provisions of Act 342 and the Regulations under the Act.”
The ministry’s decision is in line with the provisions of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) and its regulations that came into force today:
- Regulations for the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Measures in Local Infected Areas) (No. 9) 2020 [P.U.(A) 400/2020];
- Infectious Disease Prevention And Control Regulations (Fee For Coronavirus Disease Testing 2019) (Covid-19))(Amendment) (No. 2) 2020 [P.U. (A) 401/2020]; and
- Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Regulations (Medical Services and Retirement of Persons Transferred to Quarantine Station) (No. 2) Amendment) 2020 [P.U. (A) 402/2020]; and
- Regulations Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Compounding of Offenses) (Amendment) (No. 13) 2020 [P.U.(A) 403/2020].
As a measure to prevent and control the spread of the Covid-19, the ministry recommends that employers conduct Covid-19 tests for its foreign workers at private clinics and hospitals nationwide.
The Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) has appointed 4,552 clinical panels for this purpose.
Employers can browse the website https://psp.perkeso.gov.my to get a list of panel clinics. Any inquiries can be submitted via email to [email protected], or by phone at 1300-22-8000 or 03-4264 5089. – The Vibes, January 1, 2021
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