KUALA LUMPUR – The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) has expressed concern that although the government’s work-from-home order may not adversely affect businesses in general, small-and-medium scale enterprises (SMEs) are likely to face certain challenges.
“SMEs who have a smaller number of non-production staff, and are limited to only 10% of the management and supervisory employees to work three days a week for four hours per day, may (be) imposed (with) some difficulties,” the organisation said.
The affected firms are not prepared to face government restrictions due to the pandemic in the same way, it said.
This is especially so when it comes to non-production staff whose operations within their company premises are now limited.
It said, however, that the directive allows businesses some flexibility to continue operations during the course of the period under Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
International Trade and Industry Minister (Miti) Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali had announced yesterday morning that a maximum of 10% of a private company’s management and supervisory staff are allowed to work on-site in CMCO areas.
They must be from the accounting, finance, administrative, legal, planning and ICT sections, and can be present at the premises for a maximum of four hours (10am to 2pm), three days a week only.
They must also carry travel permission letters issued by employers to be presented at roadblocks.
The directive is effective today till the end of the CMCO in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor, Labuan and Sabah.
Later in the evening, Senior Minister (Defence) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob added that only industries under Miti are affected by the stay-at-home order.
He also clarified that workers’ swab tests are only compulsory for those who have symptoms of Covid-19 and also foreigners working in the security and construction sectors.
FMM said the new conditions help to ensure production and service continuity while providing some “flexibility” for management and supervisory staff who need to be in their offices or factories.
“FMM thanks the government for this flexibility as not all companies are at the same level of preparedness that would enable all their non-production staff to work from home and the employer would be in the best position to determine which jobs can be performed remotely,” it said in a statement. — The Vibes, October 22, 2020
