Mar 18 – The international trade and industry ministry (Miti) has introduced the Safe@Work initiative for companies to isolate workers identified as close contacts of a Covid-19 case.

In a statement today, senior minister Mohamed Azmin Ali said close contact staff could continue to work under a new “safe work bubble” protocol.

This would involve workers in the manufacturing and services sectors, as well as those living in staff quarters, being isolated from the community until they test negative for the virus.

“Safe@Work is a set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) that can be implemented by companies in the manufacturing sector, which covers the employer’s responsibility to provide safe accommodation for employees and comply with standards under the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 445),” he said.

Other aspects of the safe work bubble involve the setting up of a Covid-19 Emergency Preparedness and Response Team, ongoing sanitisation efforts, and the provision of conducive employee accommodation, among others.

The government will also provide tax incentives of up to RM50,000 to companies for expenses related to workers’ housing and necessary equipment to monitor employees.

“Companies can register for the Covid-19 Intelligent Management System from April 1.

“Miti hopes that with Safe@Work, companies in the manufacturing and services sectors will improve their SOP compliance to ensure they can operate as usual,” said Azmin.

Source: FMT

For more information: MITI’s Press Statement