PETALING JAYA: Former Klang MP Charles Santiago today urged the government to secure affordable N95 masks, and called for employers to bear the cost of workplace protection amid the haze affecting the country.
He said haze protection could not end with telling citizens to wear masks, as some Malaysians risked exposure to polluted air throughout their working hours because their jobs required them to work outdoors.
"Delivery riders, construction workers and traffic personnel simply cannot stay indoors. Who is responsible for protecting them?" he asked in a statement.
Santiago said N95 masks were too expensive for employees, with boxes reportedly costing RM40 to RM50 and some other options priced at RM57 to RM60.
"That is a significant expense for workers who may need protection throughout prolonged haze.
"The government should negotiate bulk procurement and ensure affordable, quality-certified N95 masks. Employers must cover the cost of protection required for workplace exposure," he said.
Santiago said the government should also establish air quality thresholds for reducing or suspending outdoor work during severe haze, and require employers to conduct workplace risk assessments, provide suitable respirators and assign alternative duties when exposure becomes unsafe.
"Other countries already use air-quality thresholds to guide workplace precautions. Malaysia should translate its own guidelines into clear, enforceable action," Santiago said.
Santiago's statement follows a call by NGOs ENGAGE and Projek Sama for free N95 masks for schools, B40 families and other vulnerable groups.