TOP Glove Corporation Bhd is investing some RM195 million to purchase and build new workers’ hostels, with full facilities and amenities, from 2021 to 2023.

This is part of the glove maker’s ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its workforce, through continuous improvements in the living and working conditions of its employees.

Top Glove Management said this in a statement after the virtual courtesy call with the High Commissioner for the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Md Golam Sarwar, and Labour Counsellor for the Embassy of Nepal, Deepak Dhakal yesterday.

Also present at the event were Top Glove Executive Chairman Tan Sri Dr Lim Wee Chai, MD Datuk Lee Kim Meow and Chief Financial Controller Melissa Cheoh Hooi Gaik.

Top Glove had previously invested RM70million in more than 100 double-storey houses and hostels with full facilities.

According to the firm, it had also made an investment of RM20million in the past two months on purchasing 100 units of apartments for employees and renting additional houses and apartments.

It also had relocated 2,000 of its employees to Westlite-PKNS accommodations in Kelana Jaya, the closest facility that suits its needs at this time.

Earlier this month, The Malaysian Reserve reported that the firm pledged into upgrading accommodation facilities including buying apartments near its production facilities to house its workers as part of its strategy to improve housing situation and its battered image.

Last December, authorities opened 21 investigation papers on several companies for breaching the Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodation and Employee Facilities Act 1990 (Act 446).

Of the 21 investigation papers, 19 were on six groups of companies under Top Glove.

Meanwhile, Lee said in the meeting that Top Glove considers its foreign workforce part of the firm’s family, paying attention to events that are important to them, and regularly organising cultural and social activities for them.

Sarwar expressed satisfaction at seeing the progress made towards improving the workers’ accommodations and facilities in general, adding that the High Commission regularly engages with workers and employers in the country, believing that constructive dialogue results in good outcomes for all.

For Dhakal, he noted the concern with recent media reports on issues about the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing, but is pleased with Top Glove’s initiatives to uplift the living and working conditions of its workers.