Top Glove likely to face charges over cramped dorms
19 investigation papers opened on firm
PUTRAJAYA: Nineteen investigation papers have started on Top Glove, which has been linked to the Teratai cluster in Selangor where infections have raged among workers at its dormitories.
Labour director-general Asri Ab Rahman said the department opened 21 investigation papers on violators of the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act following an enforcement operation in Perak, Kedah, Kelantan, Negri Sembilan and Johor last week.
Out of that number, he said 19 of the investigation papers were on Top Glove.
“We have submitted the investigation papers to the Deputy Public Prosecutor and will be taking the cases to court once we get the green light,” he said.
However, he did not reveal the number of charges levelled against Top Glove.
In total, he said 63 possible charges were awaiting violators of the Act including Top Glove.
Top Glove’s workers hostels in Meru, Klang, have been placed under enhanced movement control order following a rise in Covid-19 cases.
As of Monday, a total of 5,805 tests had been conducted on workers of the rubber glove manufacturer, with 3,406 found infected.
Teratai is the country’s biggest Covid-19 cluster to date.
The cluster yesterday recorded 778 new cases or almost 53% of all new infections found throughout the country; or 87% of the 891 cases reported in Selangor.
An enforcement operation on Top Glove was conducted on Nov 26 and investigations carried out on its workers’ accommodation and hostels found that it did not comply with stipulations under the Act.
According to the Human Resources Ministry, the main offence was failure on the part of the company to apply for a certificate of accommodation from the director-general of the Labour Department.
“The failure leads to other offences being committed, including cramped conditions, unconducive living space with unsuitable ventilation,” said the ministry.
The Act, which took effect from Sept 1, stipulates the need for employers to obtain a certificate of accommodation from the Labour Department of Peninsular Malaysia.
Asri said that so far, only 665 out of 54,000 companies providing accommodation for their workers had applied for a certificate of accommodation, adding that the department targeted all companies involved to apply for the certification by end of 2021.
Meanwhile, Top Glove reiterated that it was acquiring more accommodation facilities for its workers.
It also said that efforts were on-going to improve existing workers’ accommodation “in view of the large number of workers we employ”.
All these plans were expected to be completed by end of this month, it said in a statement yesterday.
According to the statement, Top Glove had spent about RM20mil in the past two months to buy 100 apartment units to serve as hostels in adherence to the government’s conditions.
Prior to that, it said that it had spent an estimated RM50mil on 100 double-storey houses and hostels that came equipped with facilities such as canteens, automated teller machines, barber shops and mini-markets.
“Our workforce is the company’s greatest asset. We are committed to continue working closely with the relevant authorities to make the necessary improvements to ensure the safety, health and well-being of our employees,” said the statement.