Forty Centralised Labour Quarters (CLQ) will be built in Melaka by 2025, to accommodate more than 40,000 foreign workers, said state Health, Human Resources and Unity committee chairman Ngwe Hee Sem.
He said there are currently 15 CLQs within the state, especially near industrial areas, with a capacity to house 9,359 workers.
“These CLQs are insufficient to accommodate the number of foreign workers in the state, especially within the industrial sector, which is up to 63,500 workers, based on the Social Security Organisation’s (Socso) data.
“Therefore, the state government is discussing with developers, through the Manpower Department, to construct more CLQs in Melaka with a target of 40 centres that can accommodate 40,000 foreign workers by 2025,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after the Labour Education Programme Bill 3/2023: Executive Talk on Preserving Housing and Accommodation for Melaka Workers 2023, which was also attended by Peninsular Malaysia Manpower Department deputy director-general (operations) Mohd Asri Abdul Wahab.
He said the state government received applications from four developers for the foreign workers’ quarters in Melaka Tengah, Alor Gajah and Jasin.
Ngwe said the addition of the CLQs was in line with the state government’s efforts to attract more investment to Melaka because having adequate workers’ quarters protects their welfare, which in turn will increase productivity.
He said two out of the 15 CLQs in the state have obtained the Certificate of Fitness (CF) under the Housing, Accommodation and Employee Facilities Minimum Standards Act 1990 [Act 446].
“The construction of CLQs must follow the standards set under Act 446 so that housing facilities and its surroundings are always safe, healthy and conducive,” he said.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency
