KUALA LUMPUR – Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob says all migrant workers nationwide are compelled to undergo Covid-19 swab tests, which will be paid for by their employers, from today.
Previously, only those in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Penang, Sabah, Kuala Lumpur and Labuan have to be tested.
He said the decision is to allow the government to better monitor the situation and health status of migrants as well as to avoid the spread of Covid-19 among the community.
Additionally, the minister said the government is planning to amend the emergency ordinance on accommodation for migrant workers, which he said has been identified as a key factor behind their high number of infections.
“Their dormitories are not conducive, there are 20 to 30 people in one room,” he said in a press conference after inspecting a roadblock operation in the city here.
“Although we have the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990, any action will take time if we use the usual procedure.
“By amending the emergency ordinance, we can ensure that employers will provide a decent living conditions within the timeframe that we will determine.”
In a separate press statement, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan today said the decision to expand the screening to all states is in view of the implementation of the nationwide movement control order (MCO).
However, Saravanan said the policy will only take effect beginning tomorrow and not today as per Ismail Sabri’s announcement.
Saravanan also said the cost of the test kit will be borne by the Social Security Organisation (Socso), with employers only paying for the service charge imposed by clinics and hospitals.
“Socso has allocated an additional allocation of RM54 million for the expansion of this Covid-19 screening.”
For migrant workers who are not Socso contributors, Saravanan said the total cost of screening has to be paid by the employers.
“This Covid-19 swab test is compulsory under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988. Compliance will be monitored by the Human Resources Ministry.” – The Vibes, February 1, 2021
