Project Justice for All said the SOPs on people eating at their places of employment, outdoors or in their vehicles must be clarified to avoid anyone from being fined unfairly.

At a press conference today, the group said this was even more urgent now with many restaurant workers, food delivery riders and e-hailing drivers carrying out their duties during the nationwide lockdown, which started today.

The NGO, comprising 12 pro bono lawyers and four elected representatives – Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah, Sungai Buloh MP Sivarasa Rasiah, Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Elizabeth Wong and Kajang assemblyman Hee Loy Sian – said it had received many complaints from such workers who were either fined or harassed by authorities.

They called for senior minister for security Ismail Sabri Yaakob and MKN to ensure the police and other enforcement authorities only apply the “no dine-in” rule to customers and not the employees at restaurants.

They also suggested that delivery riders and e-hailing drivers be allowed to eat outside with social distancing.

Maria said they have been informed of five cases where a fine was given.

She said one of them happened in Kajang, where police fined a shop owner RM1,500 after finding their Indonesian employee eating in the shop.

There are also cases in other parts of Petaling Jaya where delivery riders and e-hailing drivers were harassed by the authorities when they were found eating outside or in their vehicles.