The government has finalised the occupational safety and health (OSH) guideline for the country's industrial units and entities.
It has adopted alternate work modality like work from home or shifting duty to help prevent and mitigate COVID-19 at the workplace.
The government urged all employers of factories and establishments to comply with the guideline to protect workers and safeguard their respective industries during this pandemic.
Labour and employment ministry at a meeting, led by state minister for labour Monnujan Sufian, finalised the guideline on Tuesday.
It aims to support employers and workers to deliver the most mutually beneficial occupational safety and health practice to address the COVID-19 situation.
The guideline detailed about the responsibilities of both workers and employers at the workplace.
Employers must have a set of policy, planning and organising measures like commitment and a responsibility statement to reduce the risk of exposure to and transmission of coronavirus at workstations.
"This will help build confidence in employers and reduce panic among workers," according to the guideline.
To ensure social distancing and minimise risk of spreading COVID-19, employers should promote teleworking for non-critical workers, it suggested.
Employers must identify critical business functionalities and critical staff and plan for teleworking.
If teleworking is not feasible, it said, employers may introduce shifts to avoid large concentrations of workers in the facilities.
According to the guideline, employers must develop a to-do plan if a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 is identified at the workplace.
The plan should include reporting, monitoring, transportation from the workplace and disinfection of workstation in line with the national guideline.
Employers must adjust and expand access to paid sick leave, sickness benefits and parental/care leave and inform all workers in line with national standards.
The workers must be informed of the sick leave policy and their right to get leave for caring their family members if affected by COVID-19.
