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Govt sets SOPs for temporary on-site quarters for construction workers

Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin has warned that the risk of infection is becoming more serious due to overcrowded accommodation of construction workers.

KUALA LUMPUR: The housing and local government ministry has prepared SOPs for construction firms applying to build temporary on-site housing for their workers following a spike in Covid-19 cases.

Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said this was to support the enforcement of the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities (Amendment) Act 2019 (Act 446), which is expected to curb the spread of the disease in line with the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Recommendation 115 (Workers Housing Recommendation, 1961).

“During the Covid-19 pandemic, several cases of construction site clusters were detected, showing that construction site workers, especially foreign nationals, are at risk of infection.

“The risk of infection is becoming more serious due to the overcrowded accommodation in residential units, in addition to the low level of cleanliness of the premises,” she said in a statement today.

Zuraida Kamaruddin.

According to Zuraida, the SOPs explain clearly the existing legal provisions contained in the Town and Country Planning Act (Act 172), Street, Drainage and Building Act (Act 133) and Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 (UKBS 1984).

“In a bid to improve efficiency and effectiveness, several improvements are outlined in the SOPs.

“Among them is the provision of uniform flow charts and streamlined document checklists as well as the application for special permission to start building work simultaneously with the temporary permit.

“Also outlined is the preparation of a fire safety compliance checklist before submission of the application to the local authority, exemption from being referred to the Fire and Rescue Department for comments as well as reducing the duration of the temporary permit approval process from 33 days to 10 days,” she said.

Zuraida also reminded developers and all relevant professionals of the need to be more competent in complying with the requirements of legal and regulatory provisions in accordance with the SOPs provided, so that the main goal of curbing the spread of Covid-19, especially at construction sites, could be achieved.

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