IN order to reduce Covid-19 transmissions in workplaces and prevent an increase in workplace clusters, the government is planning to introduce new policies in industrial sectors, said Senior Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali.

According to the international trade and industry minister, the policy would be introduced to protect employees and to ensure a safe working environment. 

“We have formulated an approach called ‘Safe At Work’ and we will present the paperwork to the National Security Council in the next few days.

“If agreed, we will then implement this approach in all factories and workplaces so the industries will also take responsibility to maintain the health of employees and give them protections,” he told reporters today after attending a special address by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to mark the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government’s first anniversary.

Also present were three other senior ministers – Ismail Sabri Yaakob (Security), Fadillah Yusof (Works) and Dr Mohd Radzi Jidin (Education). 

Azmin said Covid-19 cases at workplaces were not solely from non-conducive accommodation and living conditions of employees. 

As such, he said that such a policy was important to ensure the spread of the virus could be curtailed. 

“If their employees are protected and they do not contract the disease, then surely there will be no action against them (employers) to shut operations. 

“This will also help the employers to increase their productivity for the sectors concerned. 

“Hence, the employers have to understand and appreciate what we are doing now is for the benefit of the people and interest of the country,” he said.

Earlier, Fadillah said the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) will allocate RM7 million to assist construction companies with Covid-19 testing of their foreign workers.

He hoped the assistance from CIDB would reduce the risk of transmissions at construction sites. 

A number of active Covid-19 clusters involve construction sites, factories and workplaces. – March 1, 2021.