Covid-19 - Screening and testing all migrant workers is good - in fact, it will not be DISCRIMINATORY if the government imposed a requirement of screening/testing ALL workers before they returned to work.
Ismail Sabri announced that Covid-19 testing is now mandatory for all foreign workers in Malaysia, with their employers bearing the cost of swab tests.
Now, Malaysia wants to screen all migrant workers, and the cost is to be borne by employers ... then they said, that 60% of migrant workers are covered by the SOCSO, social security scheme ...what does this mean? Will SOCSO pay the cost of testing? Can SOCSO afford this large cost - will it have an impact of the entire scheme that provides for compensation, pension schemes, etc for workers who suffer injuries(and death) at their workplaces?
some 60 per cent of foreign workers are contributors to the Social Security Organisation (Socso), with Covid-19 covered under the scheme
COPYRIGHT - that is the issue that needs to be addressed by Malaysia, for it is this that keeps the cost of medicine and medical equipment high...and even prevents Malaysia itself developing similar generic medicines...or their own affordable test kits even if we knew how and have the technology to do so...
Cost of using the Korean testing kit is RM50 ... but then, the cost of testing in Malaysia is 'price of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test ranged from RM360 to RM700 at private healthcare centres'. I wonder what is the real cost of testing at government hospitals - even if the government covers the cost for now.
the price of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test ranged from RM360 to RM700 at private healthcare centres...."The price is high due to the ancillary equipment used, as well as the time required to perform the tests."The turnaround time for the test ranges from six hours to 48 hours, depending on the type of test, the type of PCR machine used and the volume to be tested," ...to make testing affordable, private clinics and community pharmacies could be roped in to do a cheaper antigen rapid test kit (RTK)...."The cost is under RM50 each. It is from South Korea and has a sensitivity rate of 84.4% and a specificity rate of 100% to the virus," he said....With the RTK, testing can be done at the point of care, without the need to send test samples to labs.
For the COVID-19, the government should really control the price of these tests; just the basic costs(not including the profits and other charges) that private sector may be charging their customers..
Can Malaysia make their 'own' rapid test kits - or they cannot because 'copyright laws' prevents this? Should copyright laws that keep the cost of medicine and medical equipment high be ABOLISHED.. or just be limited to no longer than 3 years, thereafter, no problem for us to make our own cheaper medicines and equipment? Last time, Malaysia used medicine made by IMR - but after Malaysia signed some trade agreement, the door was closed > now we have to buy at higher prices from the 'copyright' holder...Foolish BN, PH and still PN > it is poorer countries and the poor that suffer > Medicine exist but no access because you simply cannot afford it - is it even HUMANE?
KK referring to Kementerian Kesihatan, were generic tablets produced by our own Health Ministry, now because of 'copyright', we have to buy from the original producers(cost so much more) - cannot make our own anymore...which was so much cheaper. Malaysia should get out of 'copyright' for medicines and health equipment? The poorer nations and the poor are the victims..
Is testing ALL even wise > that goes against the Health Ministry's position > they have not been testing ALL - only those showing symptoms, persons who had close contacts with known victims, SARI patients, etc...
So, what is the LOGIC now to TEST ALL migrant workers - What happens in Singapore was because of 'clusters' - it was based on infections at certain places where migrant workers were residing...We had the 'movement control order' in place, so people in Singapore could not easily travel to Malaysia and infect us....
“As I said, this is prevention, because we don’t want what happened to Singapore, where previously they had a flat trend of positive cases but because there is a new cluster, which is the foreign worker cluster in Singapore, their positive Covid-19 cases rose sharply.
Screening today will in no way guarantee that you will not be tested positive tomorrow or a week later. Even those who have recovered...can be infected again.
Who is PROFITING from this government decision - private health facilities? Those with 'exclusive distributor' rights for testing equipments and materials needed for testing? Maybe, we should be asking these questions? Did the government 'abolish' these rights - distributorship, copyright rights as we addressed this Covid-19 pandemic?
Worker Accommodation - This has been a concern raised in the past - the setting of minimum standards of housing for workers. This will apply to all kinds of housing provided(or arranged) by employers or their agents.
OH YES - many a time these worker housing are NOT FREE - workers have to pay for it ...worse, is that in many cases, what the agents/employers collect from these workers for accommodation is FAR HIGHER that the cost of renting the same premises generally. Example, if the rental of an apartment/flat is RM500, and if you charge the worker RM75 each and place 10 workers in the apartment - profit for the agent/employer? Many a time, these workers have no choice in the matter. So, who causes the 'overcrowding' and the 'unhealthy living conditions'?
Cost of living in Malaysia is going up - but then our Minimum Wages is only RM1,100 - RM1,200. How much is there for the worker to spend to rent a house/room? How much money would you need for food? How much for phone/TV and utilities? How much for your family (wife/kids/dependents)? This low minimum wage of Malaysian workers forces people to live in crowded premises - increased heath risk too? - Failure of the BN government ...the PH government...and now the PN government...?
A government concerned about HEALTH of WORKERS? If so, where is the strong legally binding laws that clearly states all that is needed to be done by the Employer to ensure safety and health at the workplace? at workers accomodations?
Only the construction sector, thanks to CIDB and the Minister of Works, have come up with clear SOP and guidelines for workplaces and worker accomodations...
Singapore came out with specific REGULATIONS for Workplace - Malaysia not yet? We need REGULATIONS which clearly sets out what the employer must do - and if he does not do, he will be arrested and charged in court. Mere advice, recommendations are just not enough..
Comparatively, Singapore, for instance, already now has the Infectious Diseases (Workplace Measures to Prevent Spread of Covid-19) Regulations 2020.
ALL Malaysian employers are 'law-abiding' - Have you heard of any employer company and/or its Directors/CEOs being arrested and charged for breaching the MCO at the workplaces? Maybe, this information should be disclosed to show that government is SERIOUS about workplace safety and health..
Malaysian workplaces are also totally SAFE - have you heard of any of the factories/workplaces where a worker has been found to be infected, resulting in the shut-down of operations, and 'self-quarantine' and testing of all workers at the said workplace? NONE... ? Then maybe, all workplaces should start operating now...for they are all SAFE? {On the other hand, we heard of health staff, hospitals and even policemen being victims of COVID-19. The DG Health told us which hospital, but the IGP did not tell which police stations had a police officer tested positive? Or did he?).
I wonder whether Malaysia has already SCREENED ALL Medical personnel, POLICE and even other FRONT-LINERS? The problem then, as it is now, is capacity - the number of tests that can be carried out per day? Has this changed?
Testing all Migrant Workers - How many is that? Well, just documented, there will be about 2 million plus...and how many undocumented? Well, that can be the same as documented, or even 2 or 3 times higher...
So, what do we do now?
Well, after these testing all foreign workers will be Covid-19 free, while we will not be sure of the local workers at the same workplace...so, you will have safe workers, and non-safe workers; so, logically employers will prefer to use 'safe workers'?
See earlier posts:-
Draw up clear laws to prevent injury, death to workers(Malaysian Insight)
Kenyataan Hari Peringatan Pekerja Maut Antarabangsa (28 April) - Berkabung untuk yang mati, Berjuang untuk yang hidup
Pekerja Sektor lain kerajaan tak peduli? Hanya sektor binaan - Menteri keluar langkah selamatkan pekerja dari Covid-19?
Good job CIDB and Minister of Works - Regulations to ensure safety at construction sites> HR Minister, why the delay?
Singapore protects workers at workplace against Covid - but not Malaysia? Do we need a new HR Minister?
Menteri Gagal Melindungi Pekerja dari Menjadi Mangsa Covid-19, hanya ada perlindungan sosial SETELAH pekerja sudah dijangkiti dan/atau meninggal dunia
Worker's Housing Amendment - to help workers or Employers/Accomodation Providers? Not Free No Family?
New Detention Centre - like Dorms for Migrant Workers in Penang? Discriminatory? Anti-Union?
47 Groups :- WORKER AND TRADE UNION RIGHTS MUST BE PRIORITIZED FOR THE WELLBEING OF THE WORKER AND THEIR FAMILIES
Ensure foreign workers’ welfare rather than testing them en masse, doctors tell Putrajaya
.JPG "Malaysian Medical Association president Dr N. Ganabaskaran speaks during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur February 21, 2020. — Picture by Hari Anggara")
KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 — The testing of all foreign workers may not be a
practical approach for now, and may turn into a logistical nightmare as
businesses begin to resume operations, the Malaysian Medical
Association (MMA) said today.
In a statement, MMA president Dr N. Ganabaskaran stressed that efforts must be made to look into the work environment and living conditions of foreign workers, particularly those working at factories and at construction sites.
In a statement, MMA president Dr N. Ganabaskaran stressed that efforts must be made to look into the work environment and living conditions of foreign workers, particularly those working at factories and at construction sites.
He also said he believes that labs in the country may not be able to cope with the high volume of samples taken from foreign workers, to test for Covid-19, within a short time frame.
“It may also not be affordable for many businesses; many of which have suffered losses due to the temporary halt in operations under the movement control order (MCO). We feel the targeted approach in testing, as adopted by MOH for hotspots, could perhaps be taken for now.
“It must also be noted that a person can still be at risk of infection after testing if they do not observe proper preventive measures.
“The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) is more deeply concerned that foreign workers in the country can be at high risk of getting infected with Covid-19 due to their work environment and living conditions,” he said.
Dr Ganabaskaran added that educating and enforcing the new norms and regulations are more urgently needed, as a long-term solution.
He also urged the said sectors to quickly adapt quickly to the new norms, and ensure social distancing and personal hygiene are observed at all times at workplaces.
He said that the majority of foreign workers in the country are known to stay in dormitories, construction site cabins, shared houses or in shop lot rooms, and as such, MMA is concerned that social distancing may not be observed, or could pose a challenge to observe, due to large numbers of workers sharing accommodations.
Dr Ganabaskaran called for social distancing to also be observed on company transportations catered for the said workers.
“We urge the relevant ministries to prioritise monitoring of sectors that rely on foreign labour as businesses are now starting to resume operations.
“There may also be a need for random checks to be done from time to time to ensure full compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs),” he said, adding that efforts should also be made to communicate the new norm and SOPs in languages comprehensible to the foreign workers, to ensure understanding.
Dr Ganabaskaran also highlighted recent reports on undocumented foreign workers in the country, lamenting it that the issue is also major concern, and urged authorities to work closely with relevant NGOs in helping to reach out to them.
He said this is crucial, as some may fear the authorities and flee to other locations, thus making contact tracing more difficult should there be Covid-19 infection cases.
“While this group of workers may be staying illegally in the country, it must be remembered that they too have a universal right to healthcare,” he added.
More than 500 foreign workers in the Pudu wet market and surrounding areas in Kuala Lumpur were screened for Covid-19 today, as the area turned busy after businesses were allowed to open under the conditional movement control order (CMCO).
Since 8am, authorities including personnel from the Ministry of Health, police and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall officers started rounding up foreign workers, most of them working and living in the market and businesses around Jalan Pasar Baharu and Jalan Yew.
Earlier today, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that employers must ensure their migrant workers are tested for Covid-19, to prevent Malaysia from experiencing a spike in cases similar to Singapore.
Ismail urged employers to understand the objective of the new ruling and pointed out that there were recent spikes in Covid-19 cases and the emergence of a new cluster linked to migrant workers. - Malay Mail, 5/5/2020
Testing foreign workers for Covid-19 a good move, but it won't be cheap, say groups
- Nation
-
Tuesday, 05 May 2020
PETALING JAYA: The government should step in and help
employers screen foreign workers for Covid-19, say the medical and
pharmaceutical industries.
Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society
(MPS) president Amrahi Buang said the measure for all foreign workers to
be tested for Covid-19 was good.
He
added that although employers are responsible for their workers'
welfare, the government should help if the cost of testing was too high.
"If
they encounter difficulties, employers should be allowed to appeal for
help. The government can consider charging them a minimal cost or
provide some subsidy," he said.
Amrahi noted that the price of the polymerase chain reaction
(PCR) test ranged from RM360 to RM700 at private healthcare centres.
Duopharma
Biotech Group managing director Leonard Ariff Abdul Shatar said the
government had identified accredited laboratories to perform the tests.
"The price is high due to the ancillary equipment used, as well as the time required to perform the tests.
"The
turnaround time for the test ranges from six hours to 48 hours,
depending on the type of test, the type of PCR machine used and the
volume to be tested," he said.
Amrahi said to make testing
affordable, private clinics and community pharmacies could be roped in
to do a cheaper antigen rapid test kit (RTK).
"The cost is under
RM50 each. It is from South Korea and has a sensitivity rate of 84.4%
and a specificity rate of 100% to the virus," he said.
With the RTK, testing can be done at the point of care, without the need to send test samples to labs.
Former deputy Health director-general Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman said that the RTK should be made available widely.
He
added that the test should be affordable or it would not aid early
detection and could lead to health inequality issues, especially in
urban areas.
He also believed the government should consider using affordable methods like the RTK as a primary diagnostic platform.
"Anything more than RM50 per test is considered expensive for the large majority of lower-middle class and B40 groups," he said.
Dr
Lokman said as the cost of testing foreign workers was high, the
government could consider making it part of an economic incentive
package and provide tax exemption for expenses like these.
Malaysian
Medical Association president Dr N. Ganabaskaran also said many
businesses might not be able to afford the tests as they had already
suffered losses during the movement control order.
"Efforts
should be made to look into foreign workers' work environment and living
conditions, particularly those at factories and construction sites.
"They
must adapt quickly to the new norm and ensure social distancing and
personal hygiene is observed at all times at the workplace," he said,
adding this should be clearly communicated to the foreign workers.
He
also said authorities should work with relevant organisations to reach
out to undocumented foreign workers as they too had a "universal right
to healthcare".
On Monday (May 4), Senior Minister Datuk Seri
Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that all foreign workers must go through
Covid-19 tests, with employers bearing the cost. - Star, 5/5/2020
Ismail Sabri: Foreign worker screening vital to avoid Singapore’s Covid-19 situation
.jpg "Health workers test a foreign worker for Covid-19 at Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur April 16, 2020. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa")
In his daily security briefing today, Ismail urged employers to understand the objective of the new ruling.
“As I said, this is prevention, because we don’t want what happened to Singapore, where previously they had a flat trend of positive cases but because there is a new cluster, which is the foreign worker cluster in Singapore, their positive Covid-19 cases rose sharply.
Ismail also explained that some 60 per cent of foreign workers are contributors to the Social Security Organisation (Socso), with Covid-19 covered under the scheme. - Malay Mail, 5/5/2020
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