Starting 16 August, all non-essential activities within the manufacturing, construction, mining and quarrying sectors will be allowed to operate in states under Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in a statement on 15 August.
He noted, however, that the operational capacity will depend on the employees’ completed vaccination rate, according to a Bernama report.
Full operational capacity will be allowed if the completed vaccination rate is between 80% and 100%, while 80% operating capacity will be allowed for those with vaccination rate of between 60% and 70%. Muhyiddin added that 60% operating capacity will be allowed for those with employees’ vaccination rates of between 40% and 59%.
The Prime Minister said that while the government is aware the decision may provoke various reactions from those concerned about the risk of contagion, every ruling was made with caution.
“After more than a year of the country being in a pandemic situation, many employers began to reduce the workforce, causing many to lose their jobs,” he said as quoted by Bernama.
“In this difficult situation, the government can’t allow this situation to drag on.”
Muhyiddin hoped the facilities announced could help revive their businesses.
He also reminded employers to comply with all the conditions that were set up by the government before resuming operations to ensure the workplace and employee’s safety.
The Prime Minister urged employers to take advantage of the wage subsidy initiatives of the government to ensure every employee receives their wages.
As for the employees, he advised them to make an immediate report to the Ministry of Health (MoH) or the Ministry of Home Affairs or the Ministry of Human Resources via the Working For Workers (WFW) application in the event their employer does not comply with the specified standard operating procedures (SOPs).
“The power is in your hands as an employee because an employer who does not comply with SOPs and violates the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) can be compounded and brought to court,” he said.
“Under this act as well, MoH has full authority to give notice of order to close their premises.”
He revealed that over 900 premises have been ordered to shut down from 26 July to 10 August, due to their failure to comply with the SOPs.
This also proves that the government is taking a very strict stance against any party violating the rules, he said.
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