MELAKA – Allegations that employees of a semiconductor factory in Batu Berendam here have been allowed to work despite wearing Covid-19 pink wristbands are not true, said state Health and Anti-Drug Committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman.
He said only those who are Covid-19-free are allowed to come to work, with the number of factory workers reduced to 40% from the total of 9,000 workers.
“Overall, only 1,500 employees are allowed to work in three shifts daily, involving nine blocks in the factory, which operates 24 hours.
“The state government, through its Health Department, is closely monitoring the factory as it had triggered a workplace cluster, with it being the third one to occur in the area,” he told reporters after visiting the factory here yesterday.
Rahmad said the factory workers are required to undergo RTK-Ag tests daily before being allowed to go in to work, adding that a second RT-PCR test would be carried out tomorrow.
He said the cost of the screening tests would be fully borne by the factory’s management in efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19.
Rahmad said that in the latest case involving the factory, 25 close contacts from the total of 1,400 individuals from blocks 7, 8 and 9 of the factory tested positive for Covid-19 during targeted screening last Friday.
“The factory was allowed to operate after Melaka Tengah district health officials conducted a risk assessment. The premises also has to strictly adhere to stipulated conditions, including disinfecting the factory and reducing the number of workers.
“We will not hesitate to shut the factory immediately if the number of cases increases by 5% of the total number of workers,” he said.
On Monday, allegations went viral on social media claiming that the Health Ministry had permitted the factory workers involved, especially from blocks 7, 8 and 9, with pink wristbands to continue working, with a maximum of 40% of the employees allowed to work.
Previously, the German-based company was instructed to close immediately after 398 employees and family members tested positive for Covid-19, and it was declared as the Batu Berendam Industry cluster. – Bernama, June 8, 2021
