SEREMBAN: The Negeri Sembilan Labour Department (JTK) has urged all employers with foreign workers in the state to immediately apply for the certificate for accommodation as only 67 out of an estimated 2,200 employers have obtained the certificate.

Human Resources, Plantation and Non-Islamic Affairs Committee chairman J. Arul Kumar said it involved 348 workers' accommodations which housed 4,541 foreign workers throughout the state.

"Besides that, there are also housing units in 138 estates involving 6,000 workers.

"In total, around 10,000 foreign workers here are staying at accommodations that comply with the Workers' Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446)," he told reporters after an operation on Act 446 compliance here today.

He said the department has taken action against 12 employers, opened 25 investigation papers and seven have been charged in court.

"During our inspection just now, there are employers who did not obtain a certificate from the state JTK director. Apart from that, the hygiene aspect and other facilities are not in accordance with Act 446.

"I want to emphasise that employers must take this matter seriously especially the welfare of their foreign workers. We can see that these workers live in hot and uncomfortable conditions with an unpleasant smell," said Arul Kumar.

He said the certificate application was compulsory under Act 446 and stern action could be taken against employers if they failed to do so.

Act 446 stipulates that employers and centralised accommodation providers need to obtain a certificate of accommodation from the Labour Department of Peninsular Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA