GEORGE TOWN – Most manufacturing companies in Penang are well prepared for the second implementation of the movement control order, said the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers.
FMM branch chairman Datuk Jimmy Ong said that ever since the end of last year when Penang was under the conditional movement control order, most factories have strictly observed the standard operating procedures imposed with the guidelines provided by the Health Ministry and International Trade and Industry Ministry.
“Based on the five sectors allowed to operate (during the second MCO), we believe the permission covers substantially all manufacturing companies except for non-personal protective equipment textile, footwear, ceramic, and stationery,” he said here today.
He said, however, that he hopes the federal government will look into several issues faced by the manufacturing industry.
Ong said applications from some small and medium enterprise supply chains to operate during the MCO were rejected, and he urged the authorities or Miti to approve them so they could carry on with business.
“The federal government should provide clearer and comprehensive guidelines in certain scenarios to ensure that factories maintain their productivity levels while ensuring the safety of employees from the Covid-19 pandemic,” he added.
“We want to know what a company should do when an employee is tested positive for Covid-19,” he said, adding that he feared that some companies might conceal information to avoid the total closure of their facilities.
Ong said he also believes that the federal government ought to subsidise Covid-19 screening tests for all workers in order to identify and isolate infected cases as soon as possible.
“We feel that all companies should do mass screenings. The federal government could subsidise 50% of the costs for first-time tests,” he added. – Bernama, January 13, 2021
