NOW is not the time to raise th for employers who fail to comply with Act 446 (Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990), Human Resources Minister M. Saravanan said today.

He said this was because many companies were facing a labour shortage as a result of the series of movement control orders.

“Before the implementation of the first MCO, the number of foreign workers contributing to Socso (Social Security Organisation) was 1.8 million, but today, just within a year, the figure has dropped to 1.1 million, showing that the country is really facing a labour shortage crisis.

“If we want to revive the economy, we have to increase productivity and for that, we need manpower, and in this situation, it is probably not a suibtanle time to raise the fines,” he said in reply to Che Abdullah Mat Nawi (Tumpat-PAS) in the Dewan Rakyat sitting today.

The fine for violating the act now may not exceed RM50,000.

Meanwhile, Saravanan said 940 investigations were opened into employers in various sectors between June 2020 and August.

“​​​​​A total of 618 compound fines had also been issued for various offences such as failure to meet the minimum standard of accommodation including (failure to provide) beds, mattresses and pillows for the workers.” – Bernama, September 28, 2021.