Foreign Worker Hostel Management in Malaysia: Melaka, Penang, Johor Bahru & Selangor
Andaraya (M) Sdn. Bhd. manages Act 446 and JTKSM-certified foreign worker hostels in Melaka, Penang, Johor Bahru, Pasir Gudang, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, and other Peninsular Malaysia locations on a project basis, handling accommodation setup, 24/7 security, housekeeping, welfare monitoring and compliance reporting, with daily worker transport and payroll folded into the same managed contract.
- 500+
- Beds Managed
- 20+
- Hostels Operated
- 100%
- Act 446 Compliant
At a Glance
Foreign worker hostel management at a glance
Foreign worker hostel management means a specialist takes over certification support, daily operations and welfare for the housing of your foreign workforce, so it stays compliant with Akta 446 and ready for buyer audits.
| Service | Foreign worker hostel management: JTK certificate support, housekeeping and maintenance, 24/7 security, welfare monitoring, worker transport and payroll under one contract |
|---|---|
| Provider | Andaraya (M) Sdn. Bhd. (Reg. No. 0233536P / 199201002032), part of Andaraya Group of Companies |
| Established | 1989 (37+ years) |
| Standards | Akta 446 (Act 446) and the JTK / JTKSM Certificate for Accommodation, DOSH, RBA housing standards |
| Space standard | 3.0 sqm sleeping area per worker in a dormitory, 3.6 sqm in a non-dormitory; 1 bathroom and toilet per 15 or 6 workers. Check your capacity |
| Service areas | Melaka, Penang, Johor Bahru, Pasir Gudang, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor; other Peninsular Malaysia locations on a project basis |
| Enquiries | WhatsApp +60 12-710 5733 · info@andaraya.com.my |
Experience
About This Service
What Does a Hostel Management Company Actually Do?
A hostel management company takes over the day-to-day legal, physical and welfare running of your foreign workforce's housing: preparing the Certificate for Accommodation application, meeting Akta 446's space standard (3.0 sqm of sleeping area per worker in a dormitory, 3.6 sqm in a non-dormitory), and running daily operations, so your HR and operations teams don't have to.
Each hostel is staffed with trained welfare officers who handle resident needs, monitor health, manage occupancy against the approved certificate layout, and keep a harmonious living environment free of curfews or movement restrictions, in line with RBA freedom-of-movement standards.
- Full compliance with Act 446 & DOSH3.0 sqm per worker in dormitories, toilet ratios, ventilation, fire safety readiness
- 24/7 on-site managementWelfare officers and security presence around the clock, CCTV-monitored
- Transport & payroll bundled inNo separate vendor to coordinate: one contract covers housing, commute and wages
What We Provide
Our Hostel Management Services
A complete managed service, including the transport and payroll your workers need, without a second vendor.
Accommodation Setup & Certificate
Bedding, lockers, washing areas and communal spaces set up to Act 446 requirements, with Certificate for Accommodation (COA) application support. How the JTK application works.
Housekeeping & Maintenance
Daily cleaning, routine maintenance, waste management, pest control and reactive repairs.
Security & Access Control
24/7 security, visitor logbooks, CCTV monitoring and controlled entry/exit systems.
Daily Worker Transport
GPS-tracked fleet moving residents between hostel and worksite on schedule. See full transportation details.
Payroll for Housed Workers
Wages, EPF, SOCSO and levy handled for residents under the same contract. See full payroll details.
Audit & Compliance Reports
Regular audits and ready-to-present reports for JTK, DOSH, RBA and client ESG due diligence.
Hostel Amenities
Everything Your Workers Need
Sleeping Quarters
3.0 sqm+ per worker in dormitories (JTKSM standard)
Kitchen & Dining
Communal cooking & dining areas
Laundry Facilities
Washing machines & covered drying
Bathrooms & Toilets
1 per 15 workers or better, daily cleaning
WiFi Connectivity
Staying connected with family
First Aid Station
On-site kits & trained personnel
CCTV Security
24/7 surveillance & personnel
Secure Storage
Lockable personal storage
Our Standards
Built on Compliance & Care
Every hostel we operate is benchmarked against government regulation, international standards and our internal welfare code.
JTKSM & Act 446 Compliance
At least 3.0 sqm of sleeping area per worker (3.6 sqm non-dormitory), sanitation, ventilation and fire safety, verified against your approved certificate.
RBA Housing Standards
International benchmarks for worker housing, dignity and freedom of movement: no curfews, no movement restrictions.
Andaraya Welfare Code
Going further than the law to ensure workers feel genuinely cared for.
Check your hostel's legal capacity
Enter your floor area to see how many workers it can house under Akta 446, or enter a headcount to see the space, toilets and beds you need.
Where We Operate
Worker and Hostel Management in Melaka, Penang, Johor Bahru & Selangor
Andaraya runs branch offices and a GPS-tracked worker transport network in the areas below. If your factory or site is nearby, we can plan hostel location and daily commute together.
Melaka
JTKSM-certified hostels operated for multiple industries, with a Melaka branch office and worker transport serving the state. Melaka office →
Penang
Hostel management and worker transport extended to Penang's manufacturing and electronics hubs, coordinated with our Klang Valley and Johor teams. Talk to us about Penang →
Johor Bahru & Pasir Gudang
Branch offices in Johor Bahru and Pasir Gudang, with our primary Johor transport network and Senai airport arrival transfers. Johor office →
Kuala Lumpur & Selangor
Group headquarters in Ampang, a Kuala Lumpur branch, and worker transport across the Klang Valley including Shah Alam and KLIA transfers. Selangor office →
Need a worker hostel elsewhere in Peninsular Malaysia? Other locations can be arranged on a project basis. Akta 446 applies in Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan.
How It Works
Simple Onboarding Process
From first call to fully operational hostel: a clear, structured 5-step managed handover.
Consultation
Assess workforce size, location and accommodation needs
Site Assessment
Evaluate facilities against Act 446 and RBA standards
Proposal & Setup
Custom management plan with scope and cost breakdown
Handover & Go-Live
On-site team deployed, systems activated
Ongoing Management
Regular reporting and continuous compliance monitoring
Frequently Asked Questions
Foreign Worker Hostel Management & Act 446 FAQ
What is Act 446 in Malaysia?
Act 446 (Akta 446) is the Employees' Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations and Amenities Act 1990, enforced by JTK in Peninsular Malaysia. It requires employers and centralised accommodation providers to hold a Certificate for Accommodation and meet minimum standards for space, sanitation, amenities and safety before housing workers. Read the Akta 446 worker hostel rules guide.
How much space is required per worker in a foreign worker hostel?
At least 3.0 sqm of sleeping-area floor space per worker in a dormitory, and at least 3.6 sqm of bedroom floor space per worker in a non-dormitory such as a house or flat (Regulation 5, P.U. (A) 250/2020). Work out your capacity with the Akta 446 space calculator.
How many toilets does a worker hostel need?
One bathroom and toilet for every 15 workers in a dormitory, or one for every 6 workers in a non-dormitory. The full checklist is in the requirements table.
Should I manage my hostel in-house or outsource it?
Outsourcing moves day-to-day compliance, maintenance and welfare to specialists, including the person in charge who must inspect the hostel at least twice a month and keep records. In-house gives you direct control but means building the expertise, staffing and audit records yourself. Either way, the legal duties under Akta 446 stay with the employer or centralised accommodation provider named on the certificate, so choose a manager who keeps your records open and audit-ready.
What does foreign worker hostel management cost?
Fees depend on bed count, location, the services included (housekeeping, security, transport, payroll) and the condition of the building. Contact us with your worker count and site for a tailored proposal. Separately, JTKSM's FAQ says employers may charge workers accommodation rent of up to RM150 a month, or the amount agreed in the service contract.
Can employers restrict workers' movement or set curfews in the hostel?
Malaysian law lets employers set disciplinary and house rules that the hostel's person in charge enforces, but RBA-aligned standards treat curfews and limits on lawful off-duty movement as a compliance risk. Andaraya's hostels use safety-based access control, such as visitor logs and CCTV, rather than curfews.
Does Andaraya manage hostels in Melaka, Penang, Johor Bahru and Selangor?
Yes. Andaraya (M) Sdn. Bhd. operates JTKSM-certified hostels in Melaka for multiple industries, and manages worker accommodation in Penang, Johor Bahru, Selangor and across Peninsular Malaysia, backed by branch offices in Melaka, Johor Bahru, Pasir Gudang, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. Contact us for current availability near your site.
Does hostel management include transport and payroll?
Yes. Daily worker transport and payroll or statutory contributions for housed residents are included in the same managed contract, not billed as separate vendors.
What is the difference between an employer hostel and a CLQ?
An employer hostel houses only that employer's own workers. A centralised labour quarters (CLQ), called centralised accommodation in the Act, houses workers of one or more employers and is run by a provider. Both need a Certificate for Accommodation and must meet the same minimum standards. Tell us which model you run and we will scope the management accordingly.
What happens if a worker hostel is not compliant?
An employer housing workers without a Certificate for Accommodation faces a fine of up to RM50,000, and a centralised accommodation provider faces up to RM50,000, one year in prison, or both. Non-compliance can also fail buyer audits such as RBA and SMETA and disrupt production. See the penalties table.
Need compliant worker accommodation in Melaka, Penang, Johor Bahru or Selangor?
Talk to our hostel management team for a tailored proposal that fits your workforce size and location.