Direct answer
Act 446 establishes duties relating to employee housing, accommodation, centralised accommodation, certification, minimum standards, amenities, safety, health and management. It applies to Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan, while Sabah and Sarawak require separate analysis.
What the Act covers
- Certification of accommodation
- Notice of occupation
- Minimum accommodation standards
- Compliance with local-authority laws
- Amenities, maintenance, safety and health
- Appointment of a person in charge
- Inspection, enforcement and offences
Employer and provider roles must be distinguished
An employer may house its own workers, while a centralised accommodation provider may manage accommodation for workers from one or more employers. The parties should document who is responsible for certification, operations, records, maintenance, transport and worker communication.
Local approvals remain important
A labour accommodation certificate does not remove the need to comply with applicable local-authority and property requirements. Building use, renovation, planning, fire safety and other approvals may need to be considered separately.
Use this guide as orientation, not a final determination
The official Act, regulations, orders, authority guidance and property-specific approvals should be checked before relying on a conclusion. Requirements may also change after this page is reviewed.
Primary sources
- Employees’ Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations and Amenities Act 1990 [Act 446]Department of Labour Peninsular MalaysiaOfficial reprint stated as at 1 February 2021.