KUALA LUMPUR: All foreign workers in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Penang, Sabah, Kuala Lumpur and Labuan, regardless of sectors, must undergo compulsory Covid-19 swab tests.
Senior Minister (security cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the foreign workers must undergo swab tests or RTK Antigen testing as the infection risk between them and local workers is higher based on the Health Ministry's risk assessment.
"The Human Resources Ministry has suggested to the special National Security Council (NSC) meeting on Covid-19, to make it mandatory for foreign workers in the four states and two Federal Territories to undergo swab tests.
"As of Oct 31, there are 1,615,834 active foreign workers in the states and areas mentioned working in industrial areas.
"This was agreed upon during the special NSC meeting on Covid-19 and was recommended by the Health Ministry in order to lower the risk of Covid-19 infection among the foreign workers," he told a press conference today.
Ismail Sabri added that the cost of the swab test will be borne by both employers and the Social Security Organisation (Socso) for foreign workers who are Socso contributors.
"Subsidy for the RTK-Antigen testing can be claimed with Sosco for up to RM60 while the remaining cost will be paid by the employer.
"As for foreign workers who are not Socso contributors, the cost of the Covid-19 screening test is fully borne by the employer," he said.