Covid-19 has most profoundly impacted and exposed vulnerability of the working sector. The infection rates were found to be significantly higher in Malaysia’s manufacturing industries since factories were allowed to reopen following strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
However, even with strict SOPs, with the rising number of cases each day, it is only relevant to allow workers to work from home or apply a much safer working method for the safety of the workers. Some employers unfortunately have insisted for their workers to go to work despite the risk of Covid-19 infections.
Ingat tak kes kakak aku positive covid sebab tempat kerja tu? Harini BOSS DIA SURUH MAKAN IVERMECTIN. MAKAN DEPAN BOSS DIA K. 🤦🏻 pic.twitter.com/iXTSKzI2ek
— SHIQNOVAC (@lelakiserigala) August 4, 2021
Yesterday (Wednesday 4th August), Twitter user Shiqnovac claimed that an employer had forced their staff who tested positive for Covid-19 to take Ivermectin and also asked them to take the drug in front of the employer. He informed that his sister was forced to take Ivermectin, despite the drug not being approved by the FDA to be consumed by humans for the prevention or treatment for Covid-19.
“Remember my sister’s Covid-19 positive case because of the workplace cluster? Today (yesterday), her boss demanded that she take Ivermectin. She was even instructed to consume the drug in front of her boss,” he captioned in the post.
Early last month on 8th July, Shiqnovac took to Twitter to share his story regarding his sister who was confirmed to be Covid-19 positive, after being forced to go to work despite positive cases at her workplace. After getting their swab test the previous day, his sister and brother-in-law were tested positive due to them being in close contact with Covid positives.
7 July 2021 family aku buat COVID-19 swab test, turn out kakak aku ngan adik lelaki aku positive (close contact). I will blame company yg dia kerja skrg. Kakak aku ibu tunggal. Abg ipar aku meninggal dah. Keluar air mata kakak aku wehh 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/ghyczxMGyt
— SHIQNOVAC (@lelakiserigala) July 7, 2021
The man also shared a screenshot of a WhatsApp message stating that his sister could not stand working at the company. He revealed in the tweet that her employer was also forcing the staff to come to work despite living in the same hostel with those who had been infected with the virus. From the comments under the tweet, some people alleged that the tissue paper company is located in Subang.
The tweet has garnered netizens attention and many asked for the company to be investigated for its negligence and risking the safety of its workers. Many also expressed their worry for the drug’s side effects that could harm the employee.
“Requesting @KKMPutrajaya, @PDRMsia, @MKNJPM to investigate this matter. If the medication given harmed the person, stern action should be taken against the employer involved,” commented one netizen.
Many netizens also hope that the matter will be taken with seriousness by the authorities and some even shared information about current job vacancies that might be helpful to the sister.
Source: Shiqnovac’s Twitter
