KLANG | The Top Glove Corporation says it will fully cooperate with the authorities as the Labour Department plans to take legal action against the company for allegedly not complying with government regulations over its workers’ accommodation.
The latex medical glove maker also reiterated that it was acquiring more accommodation for its workers.
“Top Glove wishes to clarify that efforts to source for more accommodation and to improve existing worker accommodations are ongoing, in view of the large number of workers we employ,” said the company in a statement on Tuesday (Dec 1).
The Labour Department said it would be hauling Top Glove and several other companies to court for allegedly flouting the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446).
Top Glove added that the company expected to complete its efforts to improve its workers’ accommodation by around Dec 31 this year.
“This is in line with the government’s educational approach on employers in various sectors until the end of this year, so that they can comply with Act 446,” it said.
Top Glove said it has spent about RM20mil in the past two months to buy 100 units of apartments to serve as workers’ hostels in adherence to the government’s conditions.
Prior to that, the company said it had also spent an estimated RM50mil on 100 double-storey houses and hostels that came with amenities such as an in-house canteen, automated teller machines, barbershops and mini markets.
“Our workforce is the company’s greatest asset, and we are committed to continue working closely with the relevant authorities to make the necessary improvements towards ensuring the safety, health and well-being of our employees,” it said.
Top Glove found itself in the centre of the Covid-19 pandemic attention recently after several thousand of its foreign workers tested positive for the virus.
Human Resources Minister M. Saravanan had said recently that the Labour Department will be probing Top Glove’s workers’ accommodations which were allegedly not up to mark.
