The cost of conducting the swab tests on insured foreign workers is taken care of by the Social Security Organisation (Socso), while the cost for uninsured workers is borne by employers, they told The Malaysian Insight.
The Works Ministry, in a FAQ guide on October 28, said all foreign construction workers in conditional movement-control order (CMCO) areas, not only those in red zones, must take the Covid-19 swab test.
To curb the growing number of cases, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya went into CMCO at midnight on October 14. This was supposed to end on October 27 but has now been extended to November 9.
Most economic sectors, including the construction and manufacturing industries, are allowed to operate but with strict adherence to the standard operating procedure (SOP). Among them is foreign workers to undergo the Covid-19 test.
Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) president Foo Chek Lee said most construction projects are gradually picking up speed.
“Appeals for extension of project deadlines have been made and construction sites are operating, as usual, to catch up with lost time.
“The only limitation is the shortage of foreign labour,” Foo said.
Putrajaya has frozen the hiring of foreign workers until year-end. The government is expected to consider allowing the construction, agriculture and plantation sectors to hire foreign workers next year.
Foo said the additional cost for the tests is no pressure, adding that after construction companies are given consent to resume work, all foreign workers who have completed the Covid-19 testing are placed in dormitories.
