Mohd Effendy Abdul Ghani, deputy president of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress said employers had been given sufficient time to comply with the amended Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act.

Effendy said the amendments to the law were not new as they came into force in 2019. “The government has given them almost two years to comply. It is better for them (companies) to comply.

“And for FMM to ask for a 12 months grace period is just too much,” he said.

Yesterday, the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers had criticised the government for what it said is an “inappropriate” use of the Emergency Ordinance against employers with regard to the minimum housing requirement.

FMM had voiced concern over the costs during a difficult period for businesses, and asked for a 12 month grace period.

National Union of Plantation Workers executive secretary A Navamukundan agreed with Effendy, saying that human resources minister M Saravanan was merely taking the initiative to enforce the law to safeguard workers.

“They must comply with whatever stated under the law,” he added.

Human rights activist Adrian Pereira said the use of emergency powers on workers’ housing issues is not a long term solution.

“For migrant related issues, the government should propose a holistic long term solution through a comprehensive law specifically for migrant labour,” said Pereira, the North South Initiative executive director.

He added there was nothing stopping the Labour Department from being proactive and carrying out checks on workers’ housing.