Latest news with #CentralisedLabourQuarters
Barnama
15 hours ago
- 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.
New Straits Times
20 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Govt warns of closure after Penang riot at workers' hostel
BUKIT MERTAJAM: The government will not hesitate to shut down any Centralised Labour Quarters (CLQ) or Temporary Labour Quarters (TLQ) found to violate regulations or mismanaged in any way involving foreign workers. This follows the recent riot involving foreign workers at The Summit building here, which led to the arrest of 46 people. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong said the government had no qualms about taking stern action. "Companies must be responsible for the welfare and discipline of their workers. "If they fail, we will not only revoke the CLQ or TLQ licence, we may also withdraw the company's foreign worker permits," he told newsmen after conducting checks at The Summit this afternoon. On the riot, Sim said the matter was now in the hands of the police. He said the incident occurred because the workers were allegedly dissatisfied with their supervisor. Preliminary reports suggested the unrest stemmed from allegations of money being collected for unclear purposes, possibly without the knowledge of the company managing the workers. Over 1,100 foreign workers are housed in the TLQ at The Summit, with the majority of them are from Bangladesh (946), followed by Nepal (129) and Myanmar (38). Eight companies have employees staying at the facility, but the riot is believed to have primarily involved workers from just one company. Sim said the TLQ at The Summit was approved by the Seberang Prai City Council in 2023, with the permit valid until Dec 31, 2027. "The operator of the facility must comply with the Workers' Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990, and obtain certification from the Department of Labour. "We support the CLQ and TLQ concept because it keeps foreign workers' accommodations organised and prevents disruption to local communities. "But if the operator fails to maintain peace and order, we will instruct the local council and the Department of Labour to revoke the licence. "Although the riot at The Summit was not targeted at the general public, video footage of the incident caused fear among local residents," he added. Sim stressed the government's commitment to balancing industrial needs with public safety. "Companies must be responsible for the welfare and discipline of their workers. "Failing that, we will take stern action, including withdrawing their foreign worker permits," he warned. Meanwhile, the operator of the TLQ at The Summit, Chew Suen Chee, said various measures had been implemented to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the foreign workers. "We took immediate action after the incident and will cooperate fully with the police in their investigation," he said, apologising for the incident.
Daily Express
03-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Call for national action plan to tackle worker housing
Call for national action plan to tackle worker housing Kuala Lumpur: The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing (FMM) has proposed that the government formulate a National Action Plan on Labour Quarters to address the shortage of proper accommodation for workers, especially in key industrial areas and logistics hubs across the country. Its president, Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai, proposed that the action plan be implemented jointly by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, the Ministry of Human Resources and local authorities. Advertisement 'The current shortfall in Centralised Labour Quarters (CLQ) and Temporary Labour Quarters (TLQ) has impacted both worker welfare and employer compliance with Act 446, which governs minimum standards of housing and amenities,' he said in a statement. He added that employers often face delays in obtaining development approvals and navigating bureaucratic processes, making it difficult to provide workers with safe, regulated living conditions. As such, the FMM recommended three core measures under the proposed action plan, namely the fast-tracking of approvals for CLQ and TLQ development, targeted incentives for employers and developers to build or retrofit proper accommodation, and public-private partnership (PPP) models aligned with local development strategies. 'These measures are essential to ensure that worker housing evolves in tandem with Malaysia's industrial growth,' Soh said. Advertisement On other developments, FMM also praised the government's broader labour reforms, citing the recent drop in unemployment to 3.1 per cent and the increase in female labour force participation to 56.2 per cent as signs of effective policy intervention. Soh said the introduction of the Madani Workers' Card, which offers discounts on essential goods and services, is a significant step forward in integrating social protection into worker benefits. Advertisement Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when delivering his message in conjunction with the 2025 National Labour Day celebration at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil here. Thursday, announced that one million union members will receive discounts of up to 30 per cent from over 100 companies offering essential goods and services through the Madani Workers' Card initiative. 'This is in appreciation of workers for their hard work in carrying out their duties and trust,' Anwar said. In a nod to Malaysia's labour movement history, Soh welcomed the revival of the 'Solidariti Perjuangan' song, penned by Human Resources Minister Steven Sim, which he said serves as a timely reminder of the central role of workers in nation-building.
The Sun
02-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
FMM calls for national action plan to address shortage of labour quarters
KUALA LUMPUR: The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing (FMM) has proposed that the government formulate a National Action Plan on Labour Quarters to address the shortage of proper accommodation for workers, especially in key industrial areas and logistics hubs across the country. Its president, Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai, proposed that the action plan be implemented jointly by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, the Ministry of Human Resources and local authorities. 'The current shortfall in Centralised Labour Quarters (CLQ) and Temporary Labour Quarters (TLQ) has impacted both worker welfare and employer compliance with Act 446, which governs minimum standards of housing and amenities,' he said in a statement. He added that employers often face delays in obtaining development approvals and navigating bureaucratic processes, making it difficult to provide workers with safe, regulated living conditions. As such, the FMM recommended three core measures under the proposed action plan, namely the fast-tracking of approvals for CLQ and TLQ development, targeted incentives for employers and developers to build or retrofit proper accommodation, and public-private partnership (PPP) models aligned with local development strategies. 'These measures are essential to ensure that worker housing evolves in tandem with Malaysia's industrial growth,' Soh said. On other developments, FMM also praised the government's broader labour reforms, citing the recent drop in unemployment to 3.1 per cent and the increase in female labour force participation to 56.2 per cent as signs of effective policy intervention. Soh said the introduction of the MADANI Workers' Card, which offers discounts on essential goods and services, is a significant step forward in integrating social protection into worker benefits. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when delivering his message in conjunction with the 2025 National Labour Day celebration at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil here yesterday, announced that one million union members will receive discounts of up to 30 per cent from over 100 companies offering essential goods and services through the MADANI Workers' Card initiative. 'This is in appreciation of workers for their hard work in carrying out their duties and trust,' Anwar said. In a nod to Malaysia's labour movement history, Soh welcomed the revival of the 'Solidariti Perjuangan' song, penned by Human Resources Minister Steven Sim, which he said serves as a timely reminder of the central role of workers in nation-building.
New Straits Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Improve housing for workers, govt told
KUALA LUMPUR: The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) has urged the government to establish a National Action Plan on Labour Quarters to address the critical shortage of proper worker housing nationwide. Its president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai said the plan should be developed in collaboration with the Local Government and Development Ministry, the Human Resources Ministry, and local authorities. "The key proposals include fast-tracked approvals for the development of Centralised Labour Quarters (CLQ) and Temporary Labour Quarters (TLQ), targeted incentives for developers and employers to build or retrofit proper worker housing, and public-private partnership models aligned with local and industrial development strategies," he said in a statement today. Soh said the critical shortage of CLQ and TLQ, especially in key industrial zones and logistics hubs, continued to affect worker welfare and placed significant compliance pressure on employers under the Workers' Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446). FMM's call follows Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's Labour Day address, in which he stressed the need to redefine minimum housing standards for workers, declaring that "one-room-one-toilet housing is no longer suitable." "FMM welcomes the prime minister's keynote address, which captures the spirit of inclusive development and justice for the workforce. "His bold assertion that when there are so many facilities for the rich, it should not be impossible to find land to build decent homes for workers reflects an urgent national priority that deserves broad support," Soh said. He praised the government's efforts to strengthen the labour ecosystem, including the reduction of the national unemployment rate to 3.1 per cent, the increase in female labour force participation to 56.2 per cent, and the launch of initiatives such as the Madani Employee Card and the MyFutureJobs mobile application. He said the MyFutureJobs platform, driven by artificial intelligence to match workers with jobs, would support Malaysia's digital labour market transformation. "FMM expresses its readiness to support the utilisation and continuous improvement of the MyFutureJobs system through industry collaboration, ensuring it remains responsive to real-time market demand, skills matching, and sectoral workforce planning. Soh said this year's Labour Day celebration reaffirmed the nation's respect for its workers and the need for collaborative efforts to build a just and future-ready labour ecosystem.
