Worker safety should not end at the factory gate — Khairul Hafezad Abdullah

September 3 — The plight of migrant workers confined to cramped and dilapidated housing is not just a matter of housing and welfare. It also raises critical concerns about occupational safety and health. While workplace safety often starts with a worker entering a factory or construction site and ends when they return home, the truth is that boundary is often blurred.

After a grueling shift, a worker may face overcrowded living conditions, limited space, and inadequate facilities, affecting their ability to rest before returning to work. Fatigue and insufficient recovery can impair concentration, alertness, and decision-making, posing significant risks in safety-critical jobs. Malaysia has laws and standards for workplace safety and worker accommodation, but the challenge lies in treating these requirements as part of a comprehensive approach to worker protection.

Employers must recognize that proper living conditions are crucial for a strong safety culture. It's not enough to have safety procedures, protective equipment, training, and risk assessments; the conditions surrounding work must also support safe performance. This applies to all workers, regardless of nationality or employment status.

Ensuring reasonable protection from risks should be a universal priority. As Malaysia strives for higher occupational safety standards, our approach to worker protection must evolve beyond workplace boundaries to include the conditions that allow workers to perform their jobs safely.