FMM: Reopen economy based on vaccination level in companies

The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) called on the government to open up economic sectors based on company-level vaccination rates with continued adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and periodical screening of workers.

It said failing to do so will result in more businesses folding up operations with irreparable damage to the economy and the risk of recession with a long recovery period.

“The industry is concerned with the prolonged closure of non-essential sectors for almost three months now.

“While FMM notes and welcomes the easing of restrictions for individuals who have been fully vaccinated, we look forward to a similar easing of restrictions on business sectors which is desperately needed to ensure business viability as many are on the brink of collapse,” it said in a statement today.

It said global evidence indicates a fast rollout of vaccines is the answer to reopening and reviving economies regardless of the continued threats of resurgent cases due to new virus variants.

In this regard, ramping up the national immunisation programme is important so the government may stop segregating essential and non-essential sectors, said FMM, adding that businesses are interconnected in a way where essential sectors require support from non-essential sectors. 

“Much effort, time, and financial resources have been deployed by employers to ramp up their company-level vaccinations as they recognise it is their only ticket to returning to normalcy in their business operations and sustainability,” it added.

- Bernama

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