DIRTY and inhumane – that is the pathetic picture of workers’ housing for 27 employees of a chicken egg production factory in Alor Gajah, Malacca.

Without basic amenities such as mattresses and electricity and water supply as well as with a dirty kitchen, the workers from Myanmar are forced to live in poor conditions because the employer has failed to comply with the employees’ minimum standard of housing law.

The situation, which was uncovered during an integrated workers’ housing operation held for more than two hours, also showed that two workers were directed by the employer to live in a dilapidated shack to look after a chicken feed warehouse there.

State Unity, Information, Manpower and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Ngwe Hee Sem said it was found that the employer provided 15 units of accommodation of various types to 27 foreign workers employed without any accommodation certificate.

“We also found that the employer has not made any application to obtain the certificate and has committed various offences under the Employees’ Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations and Amenities Act 1990,” he told reporters after the operation in Kuala Sungai Baru today.

Also present were state Manpower Department director Rohana Bakar and state Department of Occupational Safety and Health director Rabaayah Daud.

Ngwe said the employer also violated Social Security Organisation rules, which is failure to pay contributions for three employees and not registering them.

“An investigation paper has been opened and we will monitor the company to see if improvements are made,” he said. – Bernama, May 26, 2022.