KOTA KINABALU – Imagine a family of five living in a tiny space in a factory built 15 years ago.
This is one of the many deplorable living conditions Sabah authorities have found employers providing.
Some were even found harbouring illegal immigrants in quarters built without government approval.
Assistant Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Isnin Aliasnih said 144 violations have been identified involving poor living conditions and quarters built inside factories in deplorable condition.
“We found that a number of living quarters for workers were in bad shape, as if they (management) did not care about their workers.
“They also housed them inside the factories and they can’t do this.
“So, we have found them to be violation of the law and action will be taken against them,” said Isnin, adding several Covid-19 clusters in Sabah involve factory workers.
Since March 1, the Labour Department has conducted checks on 940 living quarters involving 240 employers.
Among the offences committed by employers were poor condition of workers’ accommodation (185 cases), charging workers rental and accomodation fees (166 cases), failure to attain approval to build living quarters (213 cases) as well as safety and health violations (111 cases).
The fine for those found flouting the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 can shoot up to RM200,000.
Of the total 9,378 workers living in the quarters, 52% are locals and the rest migrants.
According to Isnin, the companies found to have breached the rules have been given two weeks to make the necessary improvements, and failure to do so will see them face fines or jail time.
Meanwhile, some 30 illegal immigrants were detained by the Immigration Department during integrated operations by the Labour Department and Kota Kinabalu City Hall. – The Vibes, March 15, 2021
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