The labour federation’s secretary-general, Kamarul Baharin Mansor, said the EMCO lockdowns should be focused on areas with high Covid-19 cases. Workplaces should be closed to curb the spread of infections.

“We cannot solve two problems at the same time. An EMCO targeted in certain areas coupled with the closure of workplace operations is the right step to curb Covid-19 infections,” he said.

He also suggested deploying the army to monitor SOP compliance in factories that were operating, adding that MTUC and the Malaysian Society for Occupational Safety and Health could also assist.

Kamarul said the government’s measures to strike a balance between health and economic interests “have caused congestion in hospitals and a rise in deaths”.

MTUC was still receiving complaints about employees being instructed to come to work despite their companies not being allowed to operate under movement control orders.

Kamarul said workers were being made the victims. “If they’re absent, the company can take disciplinary action, even firing them. Meanwhile, the workers can also be fined by authorities for flouting SOPs (if they come to work).”

He added that Putrajaya needed to streamline its information delivery system by making the National Security Council the spokesman for all SOPs, saying people were confused by different ministries issuing their own regulations.