THE Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) Penang has welcomed the state government’s latest decision that all companies and factories must set up a taskforce if Covid-19 cases are detected among their workers.
FMM Penang chairman Datuk Jimmy Ong said most of the factories in the state already have such a taskforce as it is part of the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) requirements during the early days of the implementation of movement control order (MCO).
“And we agreed that all companies and factories should set up the taskforce as it is also in compliance with the standard operating procedure (SOP) of Miti.
“The taskforce should be ready even before any of the workers is infected as they (employers) also need to prepare the rules and regulations for contact tracing and quarantine in compliance with Miti and Health Ministry guidelines.
“Thus, we urge all factories in Penang to comply with the latest decision by the state government in order to curb the spread of Covid-19 pandemic,” he told Buletin Mutiara when contacted today.
On Nov 13, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow had announced that all companies and factories were required to set up an emergency response protocol taskforce if any of its workers was tested positive for Covid-19.
Chow was quoted as saying that the decision was in accordance with the instructions from the state Health Department issued to both the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP).
He also urged the management of any affected company not to allow workers who display symptoms like high fever to attend work, and ensure that they get treatment to ensure the safety of the workplace.
Chow added that there is a need for stricter SOPs in factories and the manufacturing sector as drawn out by Miti after an increase in Covid-19 cases in several factories in the state.
He said MBPP and MBSP have already been instructed to continue to monitor the situation and take stern action against any factory or company which failed to comply with the SOPs under the conditional movement control order (CMCO).
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad