SEREMBAN: Developers opening new industrial areas in Negri Sembilan have been voluntarily setting aside land for the future construction of centralised labour quarters (CLQs), says an executive councillor.
State housing, local government development and transportation committee chairman J. Arul Kumar said it was heartening to note that developers of at least four new developments in Nilai, Sikamat, Bandar Enstek and Senawang have already set aside land for the purpose although this has not been made compulsory.
"We have an estimated 150,000 foreign workers and need at least 35 CLQs to house them.
"We desperately need to build more CLQs as we only have five now which can accommodate 712 workers," he told reporters at his office at Wisma Negri on Wednesday (Sept 11).
He said seven more CLQs were in the process of being built while approvals for another five had been given.
The 17 CLQs will be able to house 6,056 workers.
Arul Kumar expressed hope that more private companies and employers, especially in the manufacturing sector, will come forward and work with NS Corporation to build more CLQs.
This, he said, was important as foreign workers will only be allowed to live in residential areas until Dec 31 this year.
From Jan 1, they will have to move to temporary labour quarters (TLQs) located in commercial areas or other designated areas approved by respective local councils.
"They will only be allowed to stay at the TLQs till Dec 2027 and after that, they will have to move to the CLQs," he said, adding that foreign workers in the construction and plantation sectors and those who work in hotels, restaurants and as barbers are not affected by the ruling.
He said local councils and the Labour Department can take action against employers who continue to house their foreign workers in residential areas.
The Workers' Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446) states that employers need to obtain permits where they house foreign workers and also ensure the minimum standards for worker accommodation are met.
"If employers do not comply, they can run into problems when they wish to bring in foreign workers in the future," he said.
Arul Kumar said foreign workers had to be moved to CLQs as local councils had received countless reports from residents against them.
He said by keeping them in a centralised area, it would also be easier to manage them in the event of an outbreak of diseases as evident during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He also said the Seremban City Council has received 205 applications from employers to move their workers to the TLQs which include vacant shophouses.
The TLQs can accommodate 3,873 workers.
