Concern over impact of MCO extension on construction industry

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Builders Association (SBA) fully supports the government’s Movement Control Order (MCO) with effect from March 18 to 31 to contain the spread of Covid 19 virus but expresses its concern over the impact of its extension to April 14 to the construction industry.

Due to the short MCO notice, many project sites were closed with minimal preparation of site safety and health for the temporary works such as excavation pits, shoring, scaffolding, form works, reinforced steel bars etc, said SBA president Lou Chi Nam.

He said that the prolonged delay to convert the temporary works to permanent works would not only pose safety hazards to the public but would also cause extensive damage to the affected works resulting in heavy financial losses.

“Many contractors who lack the financial reserves will not be able to sustain the extra financial burden of having to pay both the workers’ wages and the extra cost of rectifying the damaged works during this difficult period,” he added.

He also said that the works executed in February and March this year for both public and private sector projects had yet to be certified by the consultants, many had not been evaluated on site by the consultants due to the sudden imposition of MCO.

“SBA appeals to the government to allow the consultants and contractors to visit the construction sites to conduct

the joint work progress evaluation so as to enable the consultants to issue the progress’ valuation certificates and the employers can release payment to the contractors during the MCO period. It will ease the contractors’ financial burden to pay the workers’ wages and the suppliers for the building materials.”

He also said that the construction sites are generally in the open.

“Other than the confined space works which shall be stopped, there is minimal risk of virus spreading within the open space site as long as the standard precautionary action such as taking workers’ body temperature upon entering and leaving the site, keeping the minimum distance, and washing their hands diligently. The risk of virus spreading could be much higher if the workers are allowed to move freely into the community,” he said.

He also said that the majority of the construction workers are daily paid.

“These workers will have no income during the prolonged period of work stoppage and may lead to social problems.”

“SBA looks forward to government stimulus packages, such as subsidies for the workers’ wages, financial assistance to employers for loss of income, to help the construction players to overcome their financial hardship during this difficult and uncertain time.”