Can Workers Live Inside a Factory or Warehouse in Malaysia? What Employers Must Check Before Creating Accommodation | 工人可以住在马来西亚厂房或仓库里面吗？规划员工住宿前必须核实什么？

Can Workers Live Inside a Factory or Warehouse in Malaysia? What Employers Must Check Before Creating Accommodation 工人可以住在马来西亚厂房或仓库里面吗？规划员工住宿前必须核实什么？

Answer first/ 先说结论Not automatically. An employer should not convert spare factory, warehouse, office or mezzanine space into sleeping quarters simply because it owns or rents the property. Worker accommodation may be possible only when the proposed use is accepted by the relevant local authority, the building and alterations are properly approved, the accommodation is certified under the applicable employment law, and the premises meet current space, amenities, safety, fire and management requirements.
不可以因为厂房、仓库、办公室或夹层有空位，就直接把它改成员工睡觉的地方。 只有在相关地方政府允许该用途、建筑和改建获得适当批准、员工住宿取得适用的住宿证书，并持续符合空间、设施、消防、安全和管理要求的情况下，员工住宿才可能合法可行。

For Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan, the Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) states that the Employees’ Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations and Amenities Act 1990—Act 446—governs employer-provided accommodation. Its current guidance says Part IIIA on accommodation applies to employees other than estate employees. Act 446 does not provide a shortcut around local-authority, building or fire requirements.
马来西亚半岛及纳闽联邦直辖区的雇主住宿，主要受到《1990年雇员最低住房、住宿及设施标准法令》（Act 446）的规范。马来西亚半岛劳工局JTKSM目前说明，Act 446第三A部分的住宿规定适用于庄园雇员以外的雇员；但该法令不能取代地方政府、建筑或消防批准。

The safest decision sequence is:
较稳妥的顺序是：
1. define who will live there and for how long;
先确定谁会入住、人数及住宿期限；
2. verify that the property and building may lawfully be used as accommodation;
核实该物业与建筑是否可以用作员工住宿；
3. design and approve any change of use or renovation;
设计并申请用途变更或装修批准；
4. satisfy fire, escape, sanitation and utility requirements;
满足消防、逃生、卫生及公用设施要求；
5. obtain the Certificate for Accommodation before providing the space to employees; and
在提供给员工入住前取得住宿证书；以及
6. maintain occupancy, inspection and management records after workers move in.
入住后持续保存入住、检查、维修和管理记录。

Sabah and Sarawak have separate legal and authority frameworks. A project in either state should be checked with the relevant state labour department, local authority, fire authority and advisers rather than applying a Peninsular checklist unchanged.
沙巴和砂拉越有各自的法律与主管部门制度。在这两个州属进行项目时，应向相关州劳工部门、地方政府、消防部门及专业顾问确认，不应直接照搬半岛清单。

One space, four separate approval questions 同一个空间，要通过四层不同检查

Passing one layer does not pass the others. A valid factory CCC does not itself certify a dormitory. A JTK application cannot replace local-authority permission. A neat room with beds is not evidence that its occupant load, escape route or building use has been approved.
通过其中一层，不代表其他层也通过。厂房拥有有效CCC，并不等于宿舍获准；向JTK提出申请，也不能代替地方政府批准；房间摆放整齐的床位，也不能证明人数、逃生路线或建筑用途已被批准。

1. Start with the approved use—not the available floor area先查获准用途，不要先计算可以放多少张床

The first question is not “How many beds fit?” It is “May this part of the building be used for sleeping accommodation?”
第一个问题不应该是“能放多少张床？”，而应该是“这部分建筑是否获准作为睡眠住宿？”

Common spaces proposed for conversion include:
常见的拟改建空间包括：
- an office floor above production;
生产区上方的办公室楼层；
- an unused warehouse bay;
没有使用的仓库区域；
- a storage mezzanine;
储物夹层
- a rear extension or detached store;
后方扩建或独立储物建筑；
- portable cabins in the yard; and
厂区内的组合屋；以及
- a neighbouring shop, house or commercial unit.
邻近的商店、住宅或商业单位。

Each option can create different land-use, building, density, sanitation, access, parking and fire issues. A space approved as a store, office or industrial floor should not be treated as residential or dormitory use without confirmation.
每一种选择都会产生不同的土地用途、建筑、密度、卫生、通道、停车及消防问题。原本获准作为仓库、办公室或工业楼面的空间，在未经确认前不能直接当作住宅或宿舍。

JTKSM’s worker-accommodation guide states that employers and centralised accommodation providers should ensure compliance with other local-authority laws—including building construction, safety and drainage—before applying for the Certificate for Accommodation. Its checklist identifies PBT documents that may be relevant, such as approval for a limited-period building permit, permission to change a building condition or use—its example includes changing a warehouse to a hostel—and renovation approval.
JTKSM员工住宿指南说明，雇主或集中式住宿供应者在申请住宿证书前，应确保建筑符合其他地方政府法律，包括建筑施工、安全、排水等规定。申请清单列出的PBT文件可能包括：限期建筑准证、建筑条件或用途变更批准——指南举例包括把仓库改为宿舍——以及装修批准。

For an existing factory, obtain the latest approved architectural plans and the CCC or older CF/CFO. Compare them with the physical building. Record every proposed bedroom, toilet, kitchen, dining area, partition, stair, opening and exit. If the actual building already differs from the approved plans, resolve that baseline before adding accommodation.
对于现有厂房，应索取最新核准建筑图及CCC或较早期的CF/CFO，并与现场建筑进行比较。把所有拟新增的卧室、厕所、厨房、用餐区、隔墙、楼梯、开口及出口标示出来。如果现场建筑已经与核准图不符，应先解决原有问题，再规划住宿。

2. The Certificate for Accommodation is address-specific evidence—not a generic company licence 住宿证书是针对具体地点的证明，不是公司通用执照

Section 24D of Act 446 states that no accommodation shall be provided to an employee unless it is certified with a Certificate for Accommodation. The application is made by the employer or centralised accommodation provider to the Director General of Labour.
Act 446第24D条规定，未取得住宿证书前，不得向员工提供住宿。申请应由雇主或集中式住宿供应者向劳工总监提出。

The practical property lesson is that certification should be checked for the actual premises, layout and proposed capacity. Do not rely on:
从物业角度看，证书必须针对实际地址、布局和拟入住人数进行核实。不要依赖：
- a certificate for another address;
另一个地址的证书；
- a previous employer’s certificate without confirming its present relevance;
前任雇主的证书，却没有确认目前是否仍适用；
- an application receipt as if it were approval;
把申请收据当成批准；
- a landlord’s statement that “workers stayed here before”; or
业主所说的“以前也有工人住这里”；或
- a foreign-worker quota or business licence as proof of accommodation approval.
把外劳配额或营业执照当成住宿批准。

JTKSM publishes the accommodation application checklist and Form AC2 for notice of occupancy. Its guide states that the employer should notify the nearest Labour Office within 30 days from the date employees occupy accommodation provided by the employer or a centralised provider.
JTKSM网站提供住宿证书申请清单及AC2入住通知表格。其指南说明，员工入住雇主自有住宿或集中式住宿供应者提供的住宿后，雇主应在入住日起30天内通知邻近劳工局。

Before signing a lease or purchase, ask the appointed adviser to confirm:
签署买卖或租赁文件前，应请专业顾问确认：
- who will be the certificate applicant;
谁负责提出证书申请；
- whether the owner must sign or supply documents;
业主是否必须签署或提供文件；
- what PBT approval must be obtained first;
申请JTK前需要哪些PBT批准；
- the maximum approved occupancy;
最高获准入住人数；
-  whether separate applications are required for different addresses;
不同地址是否需要分别申请；
- the inspection and implementation timeline; and
检查及执行时间；以及
- what happens if the intended capacity or layout is not approved.
如果人数或布局不获批准，交易如何处理。

3. Minimum space is calculated per worker 睡眠空间必须按每名员工计算

The 2020 accommodation regulations prescribe measurable minimum standards. For sleeping space:
2020年住宿条例规定了可量化的最低标准：

The regulations also require water and electricity, and list facilities such as rest, dining, kitchen and clothes-drying areas, fans, lighting, first-aid provision and waste bins. Each worker must have specified non-shared items, including a bed, mattress, pillow, blanket and lockable cupboard.
条例也要求供水和供电，并列出休息区、用餐区、厨房、晾衣区、风扇、照明、急救箱和垃圾桶等设施。每名员工也应拥有规定的非共享用品，包括床、床垫、枕头、被子及可上锁的个人柜。

These are minimum accommodation standards, not a complete design specification. The final safe and approvable capacity may be lower after considering:
这些只是最低住宿标准，并不是完整设计规格。考虑以下因素后，最终安全且可获批准的人数可能更低：
- fire and escape capacity; 消防和逃生能力；
- stair and corridor widths; 楼梯与走廊宽度；
- natural light and ventilation; 自然采光和通风；
- room geometry and bed layout; 房间形状及床位布局；
- toilet, shower, kitchen and dining capacity; 厕所、淋浴、厨房和用餐容量；
- water pressure, sewerage and drainage; 水压、排污和排水；
- separation from machinery, chemicals, noise, heat and fumes; 与机器、化学品、噪音、热量和废气的隔离；
- gender, privacy and safeguarding arrangements; 性别、私隐及保护安排；
- parking, shuttle and emergency access; and 停车、接送与紧急通道；以及
- PBT or other authority conditions. PBT或其他主管部门的条件。

Do not calculate capacity from the total gross floor area. Exclude corridors, toilets, kitchens, stairs, stores and other non-sleeping space where the applicable rule requires sleeping or bedroom floor area.
不要使用建筑总楼面面积直接计算人数。适用规定要求计算卧室或睡眠区域面积时，走廊、厕所、厨房、楼梯、储物区及其他非睡眠空间都不应计入。

4. Fire risk changes when people sleep in an industrial building4. 工业建筑有人睡觉后，消防风险会改变

Sleeping occupants respond differently from alert workers. Alarms must wake them; escape routes must remain usable at night; and accommodation should not share uncontrolled risk with production, charging, chemical storage, hot work or high-piled goods.
睡眠中的员工与清醒工作的员工反应不同。警报必须能够唤醒入住者；夜间逃生路线必须保持畅通；住宿也不应与生产、充电、化学品储存、热工作业或高堆货物共享未受控制的风险。

The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) states that designated premises must hold a Fire Certificate. Its current table includes thresholds for hostels and dormitories as well as separate thresholds for factories and storage premises. Whether a particular mixed-use property is designated—and what fire approval or alteration is required—must be confirmed from the actual use, height, floor area, volume, compartmentation and process.
马来西亚消防及拯救局JBPM说明，指定场所必须持有消防证书。其现行表格分别列出宿舍、厂房及储存场所的门槛。混合用途物业是否属于指定场所，以及需要什么消防批准或改建，应根据实际用途、建筑高度、楼面面积、体积、防火分隔及生产工序确认。

A qualified fire consultant or other appropriate professional should review at least:
合格消防顾问或其他适当专业人士至少应检查：
- separation between sleeping and industrial hazards;
睡眠区与工业危险源的分隔；
- travel distance and number of exits;
逃生距离与出口数量；
- locked gates, security doors and night access;
上锁大门、保安门及夜间通道；
- alarm audibility in every sleeping area;
每个睡眠区能否听到警报；
- emergency lighting and exit signs;
紧急照明与出口指示；
- detection, hose reels, extinguishers and sprinklers where applicable;
适用的探测器、消防喉辘、灭火器及喷淋系统；
- fire-engine access and assembly points;
消防车通道及集合点；
- cooking and LPG arrangements;
烹饪及液化石油气安排；
- electrical loading, extension wiring and charging;
用电负荷、延长线和充电；
- storage in corridors and under stairs; and
走廊与楼梯下方储物；以及
- evacuation responsibility for every shift.
每个班次的疏散负责人。

A certificate or system installed for the original factory use should not be assumed to cover a later dormitory conversion.
原本针对厂房用途取得的证书或安装的系统，不应被视为自动涵盖之后新增的宿舍用途。

5. Separate accommodation from the production risk员工住宿必须与生产风险分开

An employer should map the complete industrial hazard profile before considering on-site accommodation:
规划厂内住宿前，雇主应先绘制完整工业风险图：
- machinery movement and forklift routes;
机器及叉车动线；
- noise and vibration during night shifts;
夜班噪音和震动；
- dust, fumes, odour and process exhaust;
粉尘、废气、气味及工艺排气；
- hazardous chemicals, scheduled waste and fuel;
危险化学品、Scheduled Waste及燃料；
- boilers, furnaces, ovens and hot work;
锅炉、熔炉、烘箱及热工作业；
- lithium-battery storage or charging;
锂电池储存或充电；
- high-voltage rooms and substations;
高压电房和变电站；
- truck yards, reversing zones and container traffic;
货柜场、倒车区和卡车流量；
- flood-prone yards or low-level rooms; and
易淹水厂区或低处房间；以及
- restricted emergency access.
受阻的紧急通道。

Physical proximity to work may reduce travel time, but it can also concentrate people next to industrial hazards. For many operations, an approved centralised labour quarters (CLQ) or other lawful accommodation with managed shuttle transport may be safer and easier to administer than converting a factory interior.
住得靠近工作地点可以减少通勤，但也可能让大量人员集中在工业风险旁边。对很多企业而言，选择获准的集中式员工宿舍CLQ或其他合法住宿，并安排接送巴士，可能比把厂房内部改成宿舍更安全、更容易管理。

6. Put accommodation rights and responsibilities into the property contract 把住宿用途与责任写进物业合同

If the employer is renting the factory or a separate accommodation building, the lease should not merely say “workers allowed.” It should address evidence, approvals, costs and reinstatement.
如果企业租用厂房或另一个住宿建筑，租约不能只写“允许员工住宿”，还必须处理文件、批准、费用及复原责任。

For a purchase, add the accommodation conversion to the technical and legal due-diligence scope. The purchase price should not include an “approved hostel” premium unless the approvals, capacity and continued usability are verified.
如果购买物业，也应把员工住宿改建纳入法律与技术尽调范围。除非批准、容量及持续使用权获得核实，否则不应因为卖方声称“已批准宿舍”而支付额外溢价。

7. Budget the full accommodation cost 计算员工住宿的完整成本

The real project cost can include:
项目成本可能包括：
- planning or change-of-use professionals;
规划或用途变更专业费用；
- building and renovation plans;
建筑及装修图；
- partitions, stairs, windows and ventilation;
隔墙、楼梯、窗户和通风；
- toilets, showers, kitchens and sewerage upgrades;
厕所、淋浴、厨房及排污升级；
- water tanks, pumps and electrical upgrades;
水箱、水泵和电力升级；
- fire detection, alarm, emergency lighting and compartmentation;
火灾探测、警报、紧急照明和防火分隔；
- beds, cupboards and common facilities;
床、个人柜及公共设施；
- cleaning, maintenance, security and a person in charge;
清洁、维修、保安和住宿负责人；
- transport between accommodation and work areas;
住宿与工作地点之间的交通；
- certification, inspection and renewal work; and
证书、检查和更新工作；以及
- reinstatement at the end of a lease.
租约结束时的复原费用。

Where accommodation charges are deducted or collected, obtain employment-law advice. A Federal Gazette amendment effective 1 March 2026 substituted the previous RM100 figure with RM150 per month in the maximum-rental-or-charges regulations. That figure should not be used as automatic authority to deduct money: the legal basis, certification, employee consent, employment documents and current rules still require review.
如果雇主要收取或从工资扣除住宿费用，应取得雇佣法律意见。2026年3月1日生效的联邦宪报修订，把最高租金或住宿费用条例中的100令吉改为每月150令吉。这并不代表雇主可以自动扣款；证书、法律依据、员工同意、雇佣文件和最新条件仍需审核。

A 12-point pre-commitment checklist签约前12项检查

Before paying a non-refundable deposit or placing any beds, confirm:
支付不可退订金或放置任何床位前，应确认：

1. the correct legal employer, occupier and accommodation provider;
正确的法律雇主、占用者及住宿供应者；

2. the address, title, landlord and authority jurisdiction;
地址、地契、业主及主管部门管辖区；

3. approved building use and existing CCC/CF baseline;
核准建筑用途及现有CCC/CF基础文件；

4. PBT permission for accommodation, conversion and renovation;
PBT对住宿、用途变更及装修的批准；

5. approved plans compared with the actual premises;
核准图与现场建筑是否一致；

6. Certificate for Accommodation pathway and proposed capacity;
住宿证书申请路径及拟批准人数；

7. sleeping-space and bathroom/toilet calculations;
睡眠面积和浴室、厕所比例；

8. fire strategy, escape and industrial-hazard separation;
消防策略、逃生及工业危险分隔；

9. water, electricity, sewerage, drainage and waste capacity;
水、电、排污、排水及垃圾处理容量；

10. owner cooperation and document delivery;
业主配合及文件交付；

11. occupancy notice, maintenance and person-in-charge systems; and
入住通知、维修及负责人制度；以及

12. contractual exit rights if approvals or capacity fail.
批准或人数不获接受时的合同退出权。

Red flags during a factory viewing  看厂时的危险信号

Pause the project if:
如果发现以下情况，应暂停项目并进一步调查：
- workers are already sleeping between racks, machines or stored goods;
工人已经睡在货架、机器或货物之间；
- the proposed room has only one exit or barred windows;
拟住宿房间只有一个出口或窗户装有无法开启的铁栏；
- the mezzanine has no approved structural or building record;
夹层没有核准结构或建筑记录；
- cooking uses uncontrolled LPG or extension wiring inside sleeping areas;
睡眠区使用不受控制的液化石油气或延长电线煮食；
- toilets discharge through an improvised connection;
厕所通过临时管道排放；
- the landlord says approval is unnecessary because the property is industrial;
业主声称工业物业不需要住宿批准；
- a certificate shown belongs to another address or operator;
出示的证书属于另一个地址或营运者；
- the approved capacity is lower than the business plan;
核准人数低于企业计划；
- accommodation access conflicts with forklifts or trucks;
住宿通道与叉车或卡车动线冲突；
- the owner will not provide plans, title or tax documents; or
业主不愿提供图纸、地契或税务文件；或
- the deposit becomes non-refundable before PBT, JTK and fire feasibility are understood.
在PBT、JTK和消防可行性尚未明确前，订金已经不能退还。

Frequently Asked Questions 常见问题

1. Can workers sleep in a factory office in Malaysia? 员工可以睡在马来西亚厂房办公室里吗？
Not merely because it is an office inside an industrial building. The approved use, PBT requirements, building alterations, fire and escape arrangements, Act 446 certification and minimum standards must be verified before occupation.
不能因为它是厂房里的办公室就直接入住。必须核实获准用途、PBT要求、建筑改建、消防与逃生安排、Act 446住宿证书及最低标准。

2. Does a factory CCC allow worker accommodation?
厂房拥有CCC，是否代表可以安排员工住宿？
No. A CCC confirms completion and compliance against the approved building works at the relevant time; it does not automatically approve a later change from factory, office or storage use to sleeping accommodation.
不是。CCC确认的是相关时期核准建筑工程的完工与合规，并不会自动批准日后把厂房、办公室或仓库改成睡眠住宿。

3. Is a Certificate for Accommodation enough by itself?
只有住宿证书是否已经足够？
No. Act 446 also requires accommodation to comply with local-authority laws, while building, planning, fire and other requirements continue to apply.
不足够。Act 446也要求住宿遵守地方政府法律；建筑、规划、消防及其他要求仍然适用。

4. How much sleeping space is required per employee?
每名员工需要多少睡眠空间？
The 2020 regulations state at least 3.6 m² per employee for a bedroom in non-dormitory accommodation and at least 3.0 m² per employee for dormitory sleeping space. Other design and authority constraints may reduce practical capacity.
2020年条例规定，非宿舍式住宿的卧室面积每名员工至少3.6平方米；宿舍式住宿的睡眠区每名员工至少3.0平方米。其他设计及主管部门条件可能进一步降低可入住人数。

5. Can the employer deduct RM150 per month for accommodation?
雇主是否可以每月扣除150令吉住宿费？
The maximum-rental-or-charges regulation was amended to RM150 per month effective 1 March 2026. Employers should obtain current advice on certification, contractual authority, consent, payroll deductions and all applicable conditions before charging or deducting any amount.
最高租金或住宿费用条例已从2026年3月1日起修订为每月150令吉。扣款前仍应审核证书、合同授权、员工同意、工资扣除规则及所有适用条件。

6. Is an off-site CLQ automatically compliant?
厂外CLQ是否自动合规？
No. Request the relevant approvals, certificate, approved capacity, provider details, fire-safety records, transport plan and current condition. “CLQ” is a description, not a substitute for evidence.
不是。应索取相关批准、证书、核准人数、供应者资料、消防记录、接送计划，并检查当前实际状况。“CLQ”只是名称，不能代替证明。

Final takeaway最后结论

Available space is not approved accommodation. Before workers live in or next to a Malaysian factory, align four things: the property’s approved use, the physical building and fire design, the JTK Certificate for Accommodation, and the daily management system.
有空位，不代表是获准住宿。 员工入住马来西亚厂房内部或旁边前，必须对齐四件事：物业获准用途、建筑与消防设计、JTK住宿证书，以及日常住宿管理制度。

For manufacturers—especially China-based businesses preparing a Malaysian plant—the best time to solve accommodation is during site selection. Compare an approved on-site option, a nearby lawful accommodation building and a managed CLQ with shuttle transport before committing to the factory. XPillar can help shortlist industrial properties and assemble the property questions and documents for professional review.
对准备在马来西亚设厂的制造企业，特别是中国企业，最好在选址阶段就处理住宿问题。签约前应比较三种方案：获准的厂内住宿、附近合法住宿建筑，以及配有接送巴士的管理型CLQ。XPillar可以协助筛选工业物业，并整理需要交由专业人士核实的物业问题与文件。