Top Glove denies breach of Covid-19 prevention guidelines

CORONAVIRUS | Glove manufacturer Top Glove has denied reported claims made by a worker on alleged failures to comply with required Covid-19 prevention measures for companies operating during the movement control order (MCO) period.

Online portal Free Malaysia Today had on Sunday reported the claims made by a migrant worker, and Top Glove in a statement today also referred to several photographs and a video which showed the alleged non-compliance.

The photographs and video which was also sighted by Malaysiakini, among others, showed workers sitting in a factory transport bus without any physical distancing measures in place.

"We do take note that the bus transporting our workers between the hostel and factory may be full at times, and this has been rectified where the frequency of trips will be doubled, thereby halving the number of workers in the bus at any one time," said Top Glove.

The company further described as "untrue" reported claims that its routine operations have not changed as it had introduced various measures to comply with the Health Ministry's guidelines, as well as to qualify for special approval from the International Trade and Industries Ministry to operate during the MCO.

Among others, the company said it had introduced daily temperature checks before workers are allowed to enter its premises, and any person that recorded a temperature of 37.5°C and above would be immediately sent to its in-house medical centre for further examination.

Any workers found showing Covid-19 symptoms or in close contact with a positive case would be isolated, and the company assured that they would continue to pay full salary throughout the time taken off work.

Within its premise, the company said social distancing has been implemented, including at the canteen where barriers have been installed on the dining tables.

"We have also converted other premises into dining areas for workers, to ensure social distancing is observed."

Top Glove said it has intensified disinfecting of all premises, including hostels, factories and building exteriors, as well as the buses used to transport workers.

Alluding to Singapore's experience of dealing with Covid-19 clusters in migrant workers hostels, Top Glove said automated sprinklers have been installed at hostel entrances to ensure all workers are also disinfected prior to entering the living quarters.

"We continue to improve the measures implemented and review them at every phase of the MCO extension towards closing any gaps identified so as to ensure our employees’ health is always well-taken care of," said the company.

Top Glove's response came amid larger concerns that a surge in global demand for rubber gloves could see workers - particularly some 30,000 migrant workers employed by the glove industry in Malaysia - being exposed to Covid-19 infections and other exploitative practices.

Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association president Denis Low previously said Malaysia’s rubber glove exports are likely to surge nearly 20 percent to 230 billion pieces this year, up from 192 billion pieces last year.

The reported export growth forecast is higher than the 210-220 billion pieces predicted by the association earlier. - Mkini

✍ Credit given to the original owner of this post : ☕ Malaysians Must Know the TRUTH

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