GLOVE makers today appealed to the government for permission to operate under the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) in Selangor to ensure continued supply of gloves for the domestic and international markets.
 
The Malaysian Rubber Gloves Manufacturers Association (Margma) is seeking an urgent meeting with International Trade and Industry Ministry officials to resolve the matter.

Margma president Dr Supramaniam Shanmugam said manufacturers in Selangor accounted for 58% of the total supply of gloves produced in Malaysia.

Hw said since the EMCO was announced in Selangor, customers from around the world had called the glove makers to express concern over the potential late deliver and shortage of gloves the shutdown would cause.

“Our members are under tremendous pressure from global hospitals and healthcare workers as the Covid-19 pandemic has now evolved with another (virus) variant, “ he said in a statement today.

He said healthcare sectors worldwide were in sore need of gloves, especially surgical gloves, to protect the people working on the frontlines of the pandemic.

Supramaniam said Margma members exported gloves to 195 countries, supplying 67% of global consumption.

He added the glove manufacturers had worked under the stringent conditions of MCO 3.0 to ensure there was no shortage of supply for the world. 

“Though lead times on delivery were stretched slightly longer, it was still manageable,” he said. 

The EMCO now would further hamper supply, he added. 

“Hence we are calling for an urgent meeting with Miti to work together to address concerns of all parties involved. 

“We are urgently appealing to the government to allow these glove factories to continue to operate while adhering to strict SOP.” 

He said glove manufacturers had in April agreed to pay to have all employees vaccinated.

“We have also appealed to the government to make available as soon as possible the saliva-based Covid-19 test kit, which will greatly enhance the frequency for screening of workers. 

“Our manufacturers have also agreed to bear all the costs of these test kits.” 

The government announced a two-week EMCO to cover large parts of the Klang Valley, beginning yesterday. 

Factories were allowed to operate under MCO but under EMCO, only essential sectors may open for business. 

Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said only factories producing necessities such as rice, bread, sugar, cooking oil, wheat flour, fresh milk, infant formula, medicines and masks are allowed to open during the EMCO period.
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Malaysia yesterday logged 6,658 new virus cases for a caseload of 772,607. Most of the cases have been from Klang Valley. A total of 107 people died from the virus, raising the toll of fatalities to 5,434. 

Daily cases have ranged from 5,000 to 6,000 despite a full lockdown order enforced since June 1. – July 4, 2021.