THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CENTRALISED LABOUR QUARTERS (CLQ) IN MALAYSIAN CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

• Published in: Malaysian Construction Research Journal
• Main Author: Zaki Z.A.M.; Abdullah D.A.; Janipha N.A.I.; Nasir N.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Construction Research Institute of Malaysia 2023
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85194582015&partnerID=40&md5=c7f5f2d5fe8e2e4aec1e861a4e522fa5

Construction labourers are a valuable asset for construction firms, especially for the contractors. In order to enhance the productivity and ensuring the labourers are motivated, labours’ welfare and wellbeing need to be taken care. By providing hygiene, comfortable accommodations with adequate facilities, it is credence to be able to look after the labours’ welfare. In contrast what is happening in Malaysia, most of the labours living in poor amenities and deplorable accommodation provided by the employer which led to social and environmental problems. Construction Industry Transformation Plan (CITP) highlighted this issue under strategic thrust-to improve and uplift the living condition of the construction workers. To align with the strategy, the standard guideline to improve the facilities and amenities for construction workers accommodation has been introduced. This paper aimed to study the effectiveness of CLQ in achieving first strategic thrust in CITP-Quality, Safety and Professionalism. In order to achieve the aim, the objectives of this paper are, to investigate the standard guideline of worker’s accommodation and features of existing CLQ and to survey the construction workers’ satisfaction on the quality of accommodations and facilities in the CLQ. A mixed of qualitative and quantitative measures has been adopted in this research, by interview session with CLQ manager and a set of questionnaires survey distributed among the construction workers who live at the CLQ. From the findings, the labours that have been placed at the CLQ majority rated good on the amenities and facilities provided and ease their daily activities. Moreover, the best practices that have been adopted in CLQ are to maintain the facilities with maintenance framework and follow standard operation procedures. Shifting to CLQ may reduce risk especially on the health, contagious disease, safety, security, social aspect and furthermore enhance labours’ productivity. In the nutshell, CITP’s aim to transform our national construction industry can be achieved. © 2023, Construction Research Institute of Malaysia. All rights reserved.