Kuala lumpur: Malaysia is committed to ensuring accommodation provided to workers is in line with international standards, said Human Resources Minister Steven Sim. He emphasized the government’s firm stance on regulating and enforcing the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations and Amenities Act 1990. The amendment of Act 446 in 2020 was a significant move by the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) to broaden its scope from just the plantation and mining sectors to all sectors and employers providing accommodation.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sim stressed that workers’ accommodation is crucial in fulfilling fundamental human rights and basic needs, highlighting its importance for health, safety, and productivity. In a speech delivered by Penang Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari at the 14th ASEAN Labour Inspection Conference (14th ALIC), Sim noted that KESUMA is continually improving the act to ensure dignified living conditions for workers.
The 14th ALIC, organized by KESUMA through the Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM), was themed “The Sustainability of Employees’ Accommodation and Amenities Is A Tribute to Human Dignity and Equality.” It was attended by representatives from ASEAN Labour Inspection Focal Points, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN Confederation of Employers (ACE), ASEAN Trade Union Council (ATUC), ASEAN Services Employees Trade Union Council (ASETUC), International Association of Labour Inspection (IALI), International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and UN Women.
Sim highlighted that the conference showcases Malaysia’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the labour inspection system in the region. He expressed hopes for strengthened regional cooperation through the establishment of guidelines on sustainable employee housing that consider quality of life, mental health, and safety. He also urged collaborative efforts with employers to ensure compliance with established standards and recognized ALIC as a platform for exchanging views and sharing best practices among member states.
The minister further emphasized the need for labour inspectors to be continuously strengthened and equipped with extensive knowledge. This conference, he noted, reaffirms the collective commitment of ASEAN member states to uphold social justice for workers. Sim also welcomed Timor-Leste as the newest ASEAN member, viewing it as a testament to the bloc’s inclusive and progressive vision for advancing the regional labour agenda.
Meanwhile, KESUMA stated that the conference aims to reinforce policies, standards, and enforcement related to labour accommodation to protect workers’ rights across the ASEAN region. It serves as a platform to address issues, challenges, and share best practices among ASEAN member states, ensuring the welfare, dignity, and safety of workers are safeguarded.
This conference underscores ASEAN’s collective dedication to advancing social justice for workers, with ALIC continuing to be a key platform for knowledge exchange and best practice sharing among ASEAN member states, further enhancing the role and capacity of labour inspectors in the region.