Latest news with #Employees'MinimumStandardsofHousing
The Star
21 hours ago
- The Star
Workers' dorm fire: Labour Department launches investigation under Act 446
SEREMBAN: The Negri Sembilan Labour Department has launched an investigation into a company over alleged non-compliance with the Employees' Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446) at a construction site. State entrepreneurship, human resources, climate change, cooperatives and consumer affairs committee chairman S. Veerapan said the investigation was initiated following a fire involving 30 container units serving as workers' dormitories at Forest Heights here two days ago. "Initial investigations found that the accommodation, provided by a company acting as the main contractor, lacked valid certification under Act 446. "As such, an investigation paper has been opened under Section 24D of Act 446, and all workers have been instructed to relocate to a certified Centralised Labour Quarters (CLQ)," he said in a statement Wednesday (July 2). He added that about 46 certified CLQs were operating in Negri Sembilan and that employers who did not provide their own CLQ could choose from the available list to house their workers. "I have repeatedly reminded employers to house their workers only in certified CLQs. I hope there will be no more violations like this. We will go all out against any party that refuses to comply with the law," he said. Veerapan said that the department would not compromise on workers' welfare and reminded subcontractors bringing foreign workers to any factory in the state that they must provide proper accommodation and ensure timely wage payments. He said the department would take firm action against any form of non-compliance by employers to ensure the safety, health, and dignity of workers were always protected. No injuries were reported, as the workers had not yet returned from their shifts when the incident occurred. The dormitories reportedly housed around 40 workers. – Bernama
The Sun
21 hours ago
- The Sun
Negeri Sembilan probes workers' dorm fire under Act 446
SEREMBAN: The Negeri Sembilan Labour Department (JTKNS) has opened an investigation into a company for suspected non-compliance with the Employees' Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446). The probe follows a fire incident involving 30 container units used as workers' dormitories at Forest Heights two days ago. State Entrepreneurship, Human Resources, Climate Change, Cooperatives, and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman S. Veerapan confirmed that initial checks revealed the accommodation lacked valid certification under Act 446. 'An investigation paper has been initiated under Section 24D of Act 446, and all affected workers have been instructed to move to a certified Centralised Labour Quarters (CLQ),' he said in a statement today. Veerapan noted that Negeri Sembilan currently has 46 certified CLQs, and employers failing to provide their own must select from this list. He reiterated warnings against housing workers in uncertified facilities, stressing zero tolerance for violations. 'I have repeatedly reminded employers to use only certified CLQs. We will take strict action against non-compliance to protect workers' welfare,' he added. No injuries were reported as workers were still on shift during the fire.
The Star
23-06-2025
- The Star
Sim: Comply or lose labour quarters licence
BUKIT MERTAJAM: The Human Resources Ministry will not hesitate to revoke the operating licences of centralised labour quarters (CLQ) and temporary labour quarters (TLQ) if operators fail to comply with the Employees' Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446), says Steven Sim (pic). The Human Resources Minister said the warning followed a commotion involving a group of foreign workers at a TLQ operating in a hotel here on Friday, which caused unease among local residents. He said Act 446 stipulates the provision of suitable housing and basic amenities for foreign workers, but employers must also prioritise workers' welfare, safety and discipline to avoid negative impacts on the surrounding community. 'CLQs and TLQs are meant to centralise the accommodation of foreign workers so that it doesn't affect local neighbourhoods. It's very important to have this system. 'I have discussed this matter with the operators of such facilities. I've also issued a reminder to ensure workers' welfare is safeguarded and that their presence does not disturb the community. 'If they fail, I will not hesitate to instruct the Labour Department and local authorities to revoke their licences,' he said at a press conference here yesterday, Bernama reported. Also present were Penang local government and town and country planning committee chairman H'ng Mooi Lye and Penang Labour Department deputy director A. Thanavalli. Sim said the foreign worker permits of the companies involved could also be cancelled, stressing that such actions were not meant to be punitive against industries or employers, but to ensure they understood the consequences of failing to manage their workers responsibly. He noted that the hotel in Bukit Mertajam had been approved by the Seberang Perai City Council to operate as a TLQ until 2027, and had also obtained certification from the Labour Department. A total of 1,113 migrant workers were housed at the TLQ – comprising 946 from Bangladesh, 129 from Nepal and 38 from Myanmar. Sim said the incident on Friday night occurred when a group of migrant workers gathered outside the premises to protest against a TLQ supervisor who had allegedly collected money from them for certain purposes without the company's knowledge. He said the case is being investigated by the police, adding that the Labour Department is also conducting checks to ensure compliance with Act 446. Earlier, the media reported that police arrested 46 foreign men following the disturbance outside the hotel used as a workers' hostel.
Barnama
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Centralised, Temporary Labour Quarters Licences Can Be Revoked If Operators Violate Act 446
BUKIT MERTAJAM, June 22 (Bernama) -- The Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) will not hesitate to revoke the operating licences of Centralised Labour Quarters (CLQ) and Temporary Labour Quarters (TLQ) if operators fail to comply with the provisions under the Employees' Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446). Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said the warning followed a commotion involving a group of foreign workers at a TLQ operating in a hotel here on Friday, which caused unease among local residents. He said Act 446 stipulated the provision of suitable housing and basic amenities for foreign workers, but that employers must also prioritise workers' welfare, safety, and discipline to avoid negative impacts on the surrounding community. 'CLQs and TLQs are meant to centralise the accommodation of foreign workers so that it doesn't affect local neighbourhoods. So it's very important to have this system. I have discussed this matter with the operators of such facilities. 'I've also issued a reminder to ensure that workers' welfare is safeguarded and that their presence does not disturb the community. If they fail, I will not hesitate to instruct the Labour Department (JTK) and local authorities (PBT) to revoke their licences,' he said at a press conference here today. Also present were Penang Local Government and Town and Country Planning Committee chairman H'ng Mooi Lye and Penang Labour Department deputy director A. Thanavalli. Sim said the foreign worker permits of the companies involved could also be cancelled, stressing that such actions were not meant to be punitive against industries or employers, but to ensure they understood the consequences of failing to manage their workers responsibly. He added that the hotel in Bukit Mertajam had been approved by the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) to operate as a TLQ until 2027, and had also obtained certification from the Labour Department. A total of 1,113 migrant workers were housed at the TLQ—comprising 946 from Bangladesh, 129 from Nepal and 38 from Myanmar.
The Sun
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
JTKSM: 637 compounds worth RM4.01 million issued to errant employers last year
MELAKA: The Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) issued 637 compound notices amounting to approximately RM4.01 million last year to employers who failed to safeguard the welfare and basic needs of their workers. Its director-general Kamal Pardi said the compounds were issued to 341 employers for various offences under the Employment Act 1955, the Employees' Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations dan Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446), and the Minimum Wages Order. 'Throughout last year, a total of 1,277 investigation papers were opened, resulting in 352 prosecutions against employers who either failed to comply with or deliberately evaded the provisions of these acts,' he said. 'Based on our records, the most common offences committed by employers were violations under the Employment Act 1955 and Act 446,' he told reporters after the Minimum Wages operation conducted at a shopping mall in Banda Hilir, here, today. The operation, held simultaneously nationwide, involved inspections of 35 security service companies and was carried out by a team of 100 officers and personnel from JTKSM and the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso). He added that throughout last year, JTKSM handled a total of 9,991 complaints involving various worker-related issues, including employee welfare. Of that number, 97.35 per cent, or 9,726 complaints, were successfully resolved. Earlier during the operation, a Kuala Lumpur-based security services company was issued a compound of RM50,000 for failing to obtain a worker accommodation certificate from JTKSM. He said the worker accommodation provided by the security services company was located in a shophouse unit at Plaza Mahkota, which housed 11 Nepalese nationals employed as security guards at the shopping centre. 'Other offences committed by the employer included failure to comply with the minimum wage requirement and not providing basic facilities such as proper beds and mattresses, as stipulated by law. Each of these offences is also liable to a compound,' he said. In the meantime, he said the department's enforcement operations throughout April were focused on ensuring compliance with the Minimum Wages Order, particularly within the security services sector. This move comes in response to a surge in complaints from workers in the industry who claimed they had not been paid the minimum wage, which has been in effect since Feb 1. 'Since the implementation of the Minimum Wages Order, until yesterday, JTKSM has received 22 complaints related to minimum wage violations in the security sector, all of which have been successfully resolved,' he said.
