SHAH ALAM: Top Glove Corp Bhd will be forking out up to a total of RM300 million to provide conducive workers' accommodation that comply to the Workers' Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446).
Top Glove managing director Datuk Lee Kim Meow said they would not stinge in this aspect which was crucial to ensure the safety and well being of their workers.
They would do so by meeting the requirements under the Act which was amended and enforced on Sept 1 last year.
Among the criteria the company has to fulfill was providing living space, bathroom to employee ratio and for providers of accommodation to be certified with Certificate of Accommodation (CFA) by the Department of Labour.
Top Glove first embarked on short term plan by relocating 2,000 of its workers to alternative accommodation in Dec last year at Westlite-PKNS in Petaling Jaya.
Currently, the company has invested RM70 million in over 100 double-storey houses and hostels with full facilities as well as RM20 million to purchase 102 units of apartments for workers and renting additional houses and apartments.
The company's mid-term plans will see the spending of RM70 million for the building of mega hostels in Klang and Banting in Selangor that can house up to 7,300 workers and the purchase of a Kenangan Meru apartment block for RM95 million in Klang to place 2,700 workers which will be completed in March 2022.
This also includes building and acquiring additional houses, apartments and hostels in other states amounting to about RM30 million.
Lee opined that the Act was important if Malaysia wants to be known as a country which takes human rights seriously and strived to do well in the Environmental Social and Governance practices.
"We know it is good to fulfill Act 446 and we have purchased good quality five-inch mattresses for the each worker, ensure that they have a space of between 3.6 and three square meter each in their accommodations, besides providing subsidised meals and water filters.
"As we produce hand sanitisers and face masks which are a must due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there is no limit as to how much we will provide. There is no reason why we should save on that since we make it ourselves.
"Safety is important and money is not an issue as long as we ensure we comply and invest (in their safety and wellbeing)," he told reporters today.
Reporters were earlier brought on a walkabout to Top Glove workers accommodations in Klang and Setia Taipan.