In a bid to provide better accommodations for construction workers, Malaysia’s Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) has opened the country’s first Centralised Labour Quarters (CLQ).
Located on a 2.02ha site on Sungai Buloh, the six-block facility can accommodate a maximum of 864 people. Each of its 144 rooms comes with lockers, fans and three double-decker beds.
Operated by CIDB’s unit Construction Labour Exchange Centre Bhd (CLAB), the workers’ quarters come with a kitchen, laundry area, cafeteria, sundry shop, medical facilities and recreational areas. The gated community also features 24-hour security, CCTV surveillance and an access control system.
According to Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, it is important to provide better shelter for construction workers as more manpower is needed in this sector, which is a main driver of the local economy.
“It is consistently delivering significant benefits to Malaysia’s socio-economic transformation. It is estimated that the total value of construction in 2017 will exceed RM170 billion, and is expected to reach RM140 billion in 2018.”
He also revealed that there are about 850,000 workers registered with CIDB so far, of which 400,000 are from other countries.
“The Works Ministry places great emphasis on the wellbeing of these workers because without proper accommodation, their health and safety including the community at large, will be affected,” noted Fadillah, adding that the improved living stands is anticipated to boost worker morale and productivity.
While CLQ Sungai Buloh is owned by MRT Corp, it has allowed CLAB to run and lease out the facility to contractors and developers, after the owner vacated it after the completion of the Sungai Buloh-Kajang MRT Line.
Monthly rent amounts to RM150 per head, excluding a fee of RM30 for utilities like water and electricity. This means, CLQ Sungai Buloh offers a more affordable housing option for construction workers.
“As construction projects differ in timeline, size and value, it may not necessarily be feasible to build a CLQ for every project,” he noted.
“CLAB CLQ is not only a clean and safe environment for workers, but employers also need not worry about the additional burden of operating the quarters, as it is wholly managed and operated by CLAB.”
Looking ahead, CIDB plans to open two more CLQs in Batu Kawan, Penang and Putrajaya, as CLAB is presently in talks with Putrajaya Corp and Penang Development Corporation. In total, at least eight CLQs are expected to be operational in 2020.
Meanwhile, CIDB is closely coordinating with the Human Resource Ministry to amend the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act of 1990 this year, as it only pertains to plantation and mine workers.
“We are pushing for better laws and to include construction workers under its purview as we feel the standards of their accommodation should be raised,” added Fadillah.
Image sourced from NST.
This article was edited by the editorial team of PropertyGuru. To contact them about this or other stories email editorialteam@propertyguru.com.my
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