Johor govt wants migrant workers placed in CLQs in 2 months

The Johor government has ordered developers, contractors, and manufacturers in the state to resolve the placement issue of migrant workers by placing them in registered Centralised Labour Quarters (CLQ) within two months.

State executive councillor Mohd Hairi Mad Shah said the directive was issued following complaints regarding the placement of migrant workers in public settlements.

He said the placement instructions had to comply with the Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodation, and Employee Facilities Act 1990 (Act 446).

“The problem of migrant worker placement and nuisance complaints in public settlements are often raised. I stress that this matter is very serious and the Johor government will never compromise in dealing with this issue.

“I do not want Johor to be embroiled in this migrant worker placement issue, oppression or any action that will ultimately lead to the issue of forced labour... and tarnish the image of the state or even the country as a whole.

“Indirectly, this contributes to the lack of confidence of foreign investors who want to invest in Johor,” he said in a statement today.

Mohd Hairi (above) said the placement of migrant workers also involves workers at the Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link) construction site.

He said a meeting to resolve the issue with Johor Labour Department (JTK) director Mohd Azmi Muhammud and Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) management was held at the CLQ Building in Jalan Storey, Johor Bahru, today.

Based on information from MRT Corp management, Mohd Hairi said, 305 workers from three appointed construction companies were placed outside the CLQs until December last year, specifically around Taman Wadi Hana, Taman Abad, Stulang Laut, and Jalan Bukit Meldrum.

“Until yesterday, 401 workers were been placed at the CLQs which can accommodate a maximum of 1,200 workers at a time.

“The MRT Corp management said the fully equipped CLQ is free and there is no cost or fee charged to the company, nor the employees,” he said.

He also asked the local authorities in each district to identify the location of migrant workers staying in public settlements and to carry out integrated operations with the Johor JTK starting in May, to ensure no more migrant workers are living in public settlements.

- Bernama

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