BINTULU: Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has expressed his disappointment with companies in the district for violating the work from home (WFM) rule and exploited loopholes in the anti-pandemic standard operating procedures (SOPs).
He said that the Health Department has raided the companies and found that many are still flagrantly violating the workplace SOPs, including the 70 percent employee WFM rule.
“Many have refused to comply with the SOPs developed by Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), defending themselves using the loopholes, simply ignoring the orders and even openly challenging the legality of the SOPs.
“Besides their flippant attitude towards the SOPs, these companies have also tried to exploit loopholes such as instructing their employees not to use the MySejahtera QR codes when they go to work and not to wear uniform to escape being noticed by enforcement personnel.
“These employees continue to turn up at their workplaces, but in the end they still get caught for breaking the SOPs and they suffer the consequences,” he said in a Facebook post on Monday (May 3).
Tiong claimed that several companies were also known to send their workers home quickly once they got tipped off about an impending raid, but the enforcement officers managed to catch them.
“Many businesses continue to give excuses when questioned by enforcement officers. A small number of employers also challenge the legality of the SOPs, saying that the orders are difficult to implement.
“But these SOPs have been implemented for some time now, with more than enough time for companies to adapt and adjust to them,” he said.
He said that the companies not only failed to comply with the 70 percent WFH order, but many have also not displayed their MySejahtera QR codes properly or provide hand sanitisers for their employees. They have been fined from RM1,500 to more than RM10,000.
“As a resident of Bintulu, it is disappointing for me to see businesses that are selfish and care nothing for the struggle to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Instead, they continue to rationalise their actions and will not cooperate. Isn’t practicing some corporate social responsibility (CSR) worthy of the people which include their own relatives and friends?” he questioned.
He, therefore, urged all businesses and companies including factory owners to comply with the SOPs to prevent wider spread of Covid-19.
“If you insist on breaking them, you must bear the consequences and not blame others.
“Please, this is the time when all must unite, whether you are private or corporate citizens, remind each other of the importance of following the SOPs,” said Tiong.
