Responding to the announcement made by the Human Resources Minister M Saravanan recently, the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) said it was not practical for employers to establish their own centres.
“It is not right for a matter which should be compulsorily and statutorily handled by competent health professionals to be entrusted to anyone who is not trained to handle a contagious issue/disease like this,” FMM president Soh Thian Lai told FMT.
Soh also warned the government that the decision could lead to more people getting infected within the company.
“As such, it is wrong to pass this responsibility on to a party who neither has the resources nor professional training to operate and manage their own quarantine centre and it will result in a devastating and catastrophic outcome.
“In addition, it has been difficult enough for employers to rent houses for foreign workers due to the stigma attached to the spread of infection among them. It will be an even more uphill task for employers to source and set up quarantine centres,” he explained.
The human resources ministry, in its statement yesterday, had also said that employers were required to bear the medical costs and see to the welfare of the foreign workers during the quarantine period.
Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) said the government should not burden employers with even more conditions and costs.
MEF executive director Shamsuddin Bardan said costs are a major concern among employers.
“While we appreciate all the assistance given to employers to sustain their businesses, the government should bear all costs related to Covid-19.” he said.
Soh concurred with Shamsuddin, saying that employers contributed to Socso for both local and foreign workers.
“It is our view that this is the time for Socso (Social Security Organisation) to come up with the necessary support when businesses are struggling to survive.
As of now, the government through Socso bears the cost for the Covid-19 screening test kit (RM60) only for the first test conducted.
All other costs related to clinic/hospital services must be paid by the employers.