THE work-from-home directive from the government does not seem to be welcomed by some companies as allegations of staff being made to go to office are being widely shared.
I was told by a friend that the big company he is working with – that hires hundreds of office employees – has refused to allow its staff to work from home despite the lockdown and numerous office workers already infected by Covid-19.
This is one of many such companies that are said to be openly defying the work-from-home directive.
Another staffer in a different department told me the workers have expressed their concerns to their bosses about working in the office with the recent coronavirus infections. The bosses refused to even discuss the matter, the staff alleged.
In Sarawak, it is common to find employees of many private companies to be completely at the mercy of their bosses. These companies are powerful entities as they are key economic players in the state.
That is why their workers find it hard to have a voice when highlighting their concerns over company policies.
Two days ago, Miri mayor Adam Yii disclosed that there are bistro operators in Miri who continue to defy movement control order (MCO) directives – closing by 8pm and not allowing dine-ins.
Concerned citizens want these business managers who violate the directives to be arrested on the spot instead of merely receiving warnings from local council authorities and police. Residents are asking why enforcement authorities continue to issue warning after warning and not act decisively.
“We ordinary folk keep hearing from the local councils about those in business circles who stubbornly defy the operating hours limit and other standard operating procedures (SOPs) during this MCO.
“Why are there no arrests of these defiant business owners? What is the point of merely issuing warnings and threats to withdraw the business licences?
“The local council authorities must show they mean business. Those business owners who stubbornly defy MCO SOPs must be arrested, not get away with lame warnings,” said resident Rosaline Ngau.
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State leaders and authorities have been seen on many occasions as being too lenient with business owners. These business owners are seen as powerful as they control commercial and industrial sectors as well as run the local economy in the districts.
There is a lot of fear among the people about being infected with the virus. Bosses should have sympathy for their workers and take into account their employees’ worries.
Yii rightly pointed out that the whole purpose of an MCO is to try to stop the spread of Covid-19, which has reached alarming levels in Miri and across Sarawak.
He said even essential services such as food outlets and supermarkets can only open under strict adherence to the new operating hours and SOPs regarding crowd size, physical distancing and wearing of face masks.
Food outlets can only offer takeaways and must not allow dine-ins, he added.
He had also appealed to residents to stay at home and not go out unless it is absolutely necessary, as the pandemic will worsen if business communities do not cooperate.
I asked him why his council and the police do not enforce the SOPs with an iron fist.
“We are not a police state. We cannot rule and control the people like that. In the end, in a health crisis like this, people must cooperate. They must know how serious the Covid-19 situation is and they must cooperate for the sake of all.”
While the mayor is a diplomatic person, with his position requiring him to exercise good public relations, with more deaths and new cases daily, it is time for less diplomacy.
This is a time to strictly enforce the SOPs, especially those aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19.
It is time for the authorities to not show mercy to those who continue to be defiant, regardless of their hold on the local economy. – The Vibes, June 6, 2021
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