Malaysia sets tighter control on housing conditions for foreign workers

Malaysia’s Federal Territories Ministry will make it compulsory for every employer to provide details about accommodation for foreign workers being hired in order to obtain the development order approval.
Malaysia sets tighter control on housing conditions for foreign workers ảnh 1Illustrative photo. (Source: VNA)
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysia’s FederalTerritories Ministry will make it compulsory for every employer to providedetails about accommodation for foreign workers being hired in order toobtain the development order approval.

Its minister, Annuar Musa, said this is to ensure thatthese workers will not be living in over-crowded worker houses, which is in line withthe government’s efforts in curbing the spread of COVID-19 among foreignworkers in the country.

The compulsory condition will be implemented in stages asseveral centralised labour quarters (CLQ) will need to be provided,” he said.

The CLQ is an accommodation concept for companies invarious sectors to provide accommodation with various facilities such astransportation for their foreign workers.

Annuar said his ministry has so far identified five locationsfor the CLQ in Kuala Lumpur, one of which could accommodate a total of 20,000to 40,000 foreign workers.

About 91.1 percent or 1.4 million foreign workers inMalaysia are not provided with accommodation that complies with provisions inthe Workers' Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990, according tothe Malaysian Human Resources Ministry.

The move came following a spike in COVID-19 infections amongforeign workers in the third wave of the pandemic in Malaysia./.

VNA

See more

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, which stands 1,703 meters tall, has erupted multiple times in recent months. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Indonesia raises volcano alert to highest level

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, which stands 1,703 meters tall, has erupted multiple times in recent months. In November, a series of eruptions killed nine people, forced thousands to flee, and disrupted international flights to Bali.

Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane holds an online meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on February 10 (Source: rapchilaoviet.org)

Laos, Australia seek stronger cooperation

They two sides agreed to further enhance cooperation in key areas outlined in the Comprehensive Partnership Action Plan, including human resources development, trade and investment, climate change mitigation, sustainable energy development, security, law enforcement, and other important areas.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (right) and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan at a joint press conference in Bogor on February 12. (Photo: AA/VNA)

Indonesia, Turkey boost trade, defence ties

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto emphasised that the two sides are committed to increasing trade between the two countries, which is mutually beneficial and agreed to promote joint production and cooperation in the defence industry.

The number of foreign arrivals to Thailand in February is expected to reach 3.5 million, . (Photo: bangkokpost.com)

​Thailand's tourism sees bright outlook

Thailand is expected to welcome 3.5 million foreign tourist arrivals in February, a 5% increase year-on-year, with all major markets surging between 2% and 20%.

Singapore's Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam says that while the authorities here have been proactive, Singaporeans should be prepared. (Photo: The Strait Times)

Singapore warns of rising radicalisation cases

The Internal Security Department (ISD) announced on February 10 that two self-radicalised Singaporeans had been issued an Order of Detention and a Restriction Order under the Internal Security Act (ISA), respectively.