Safety audit on public sector

The Star

JOHOR BARU: The Human Resources Ministry will conduct safety audits on all public sector work places soon to ensure they are safe working environments for workers in the sector.

Its minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam has ordered the ministry’s Health and Safety department to conduct the audit to ensure that all employers meet all safety requirements.

“Every field in the sector requires different safety requirements.

“For example, in the chemistry department, those who work in labs and even nurses in hospitals require specific safety requirements,” he said, adding that every employer has safety guidelines that need to be fulfilled.

Subramaniam was speaking to pressmen on Thursday after launching the Workers Day celebration hosted by Cuepacs and Customs officers Association here.

He also mentioned that he and other ministry officers would visit several estates nationwide to ensure that the welfare of foreign workers are taken care of.

“The visits, starting with the one in Johor, are aimed at spreading awareness on ensuring the welfare of foreign workers.

“The employers of the estates must buck up and provide all the necessary facilities for workers,” he said, adding that he would meet with the Malayan Agricultural Producers Association (Mapa) in two weeks to discuss the welfare of the foreign workers.

Subramaniam said the welfare problem among foreign workers was not serious in the country as the workers have their own rights that must be fulfilled by every employer.