Two restaurant associations have called on the government to permit the recruitment of foreign workers to help address a shortfall of 25,000 employees in the restaurant industry.
According to a report by Harian Metro, the Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association (Primas) and the Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Operators Association (Presma) have submitted letters to the Home Ministry and other relevant agencies involved in foreign worker recruitment, urging them to consider allowing restaurants to hire foreign workers.
Presma President, Jawahar Ali Taib Khan, stated that the restaurant industry currently employs fewer than 50,000 foreign workers, accounting for about 18% of the total foreign workforce in Malaysia.
“At this point, the government needs to consider how to expand this industry, as Malaysia is renowned as a food paradise. Malaysia offers a wide variety of food under one roof at affordable prices, and we urge the Home Ministry and the relevant authorities to consider our request,” he said during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.
He also mentioned the previous foreign worker replacement system, where, for instance, if a worker returned to their home country, a replacement could be brought in. “This system was very beneficial to us before it was discontinued.” Additionally, he expressed hope that the government would consider increasing the age limit for hiring foreign workers from 45 to 55 years old as another solution to the workforce shortage.
In November, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced that the freeze on foreign worker recruitment applications would remain in place until at least the first quarter of 2025. This marks the third extension of the policy, which was first introduced in March 2023.
With the freeze on applications set to last until at least the first quarter of 2025, the associations continue to push for measures that will support the growth and sustainability of the country’s restaurant sector, which plays a key role in Malaysia’s identity as a food haven.
Source: Free Malaysia Today
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