​PETALING JAYA: Employers heaved a huge sigh of relief after the government decided to relax the enforcement of the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446) until the end of December 2021. 

MEF President Dato’ Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman J.P., in welcoming the announcement by Minister of Human Resources YB Datuk Seri M. Saravanan on Thursday, said the decision to relax the enforcement of Act 446 was timely and provided employers the much-needed breathing space as most were still recovering from Covid-19 pandemic.

“When Act 446 came into force last September, most employers were struggling to resuscitate their businesses and found it difficult to incur the additional costs required for compliance, and it is estimated that about 70 per cent of employers had failed to comply with Act 446 thus far.

“MEF pleaded with the government to provide more time to comply and MEF thanks YB Datuk Seri Saravanan and the Ministry of Human Resources for understanding the predicament of employers, especially during these difficult times. 

“The relaxation on enforcement of Act 446 will give the employers more time to provide a safe and conducive accommodation for their employees, both local and foreign,” said Dato’ Dr Syed Hussain.

He said the relaxation of enforcement of Act 446 would also provide employers employing local and foreign workers more time to ensure that all workers are vaccinated, and avoid being imposed with heavy penalty under Act 446. 

For further information, contact the MEF Secretariat at 03-7955-7778 or fax 03-7955-9008 or email mef-hq@mef.org.my. 

23 APRIL 2021