A worker collects rubber gloves at Top Glove’s factory in Klang. REUTERSPIX

PETALING JAYA: Top Glove Corp Bhd has denied mistreatment of its workers, saying that there is absolutely no forced overtime (OT) on its migrant workers.

“Measure to prevent OT in excess of the allowed 104 hours a month have been implemented on a staggered basis across all Top Glove factories between March 2018 and November 2018,” it said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia.

The company said it has progressively invested in more automation for factory operations to reduce the need for manual labour and introduced new changing shift patterns to allow sufficient rest time for workers.

It also regularly conducts training to improve worker efficiency and quality of work.

“By December 2018, workers will not be working in excess of the 104-hour limit as permitted by the labour law,” it added.

Top Glove was responding to a British media report claiming that migrant workers at the firm are subjected to forced labour, forced overtime and debt bondage.

Top Glove said it provides accommodation for its workers, equipped with necessities and facilities while regular recreational activities are organised for workers’ well-being.

Personal protective equipment such as helmets, specialised gloves, ear plugs, masks, goggles according to requirements of the job is provided to workers in the factory. Transportation to and from the workplace is also provided to workers.

“Going forward, Top Glove will continuously improve the working environment of the workers as the well-being of the company’s employees at large continues to be Top Glove’s foremost priority,” it said.

The company also denied deducting worker salaries to pay for recruitment fee on behalf of the agent and that it bears the processing cost in Malaysia comprising levy, visa stamping, medical examination and others.

It said that it will engage with the embassies of the labour source countries to request urgent action on the issue of high recruitment fees.

The Sun Daily