Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai said the amendments to the Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act was a good decision in the long term as it would ensure conducive housing condition for all workers, and enhance the health and productivity of the workforce in the country.
The enforcement under the Act will begin on Sept 1. The amendments to the Act was passed in Parliament last July and was gazetted on Sept 18. “We urge the authorities to give more time, at least six months, for companies to reset and rearrange according to the standard operating procedure , ” Soh said.
Master Builders Association of Malaysia president Foo Chek Lee said it was in full support of the implementation of the amendment, which it helped to draft years ago.“If they don’t have proper rest, they can’t work and if their living condition is not good, they will get sick and it affects productivity, ” he said.
“The main contractor and project owners are liable to provide proper accommodation to foreign workers.