KUALA LUMPUR – Dato’ T. Murugiah, Vice President of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), today urged the government to take immediate action to address the critical shortage of workers currently affecting the restaurant and hospitality sectors, following complaints received from the Malaysian Indian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (PRESMA).
PRESMA, which represents a significant number of businesses in the food and beverage (F&B) industry, has raised alarm over the severe impact that labor shortages are having on their operations. Many restaurant owners are being forced to reduce their operating hours, limit services, or in extreme cases, cease operations entirely due to an insufficient workforce.
“The shortage of workers, especially foreign labour, has reached a crisis point”
“Many restaurant owners have told me that they are struggling to find local workers and face delays in bringing in foreign employees due to administrative and visa-related bottlenecks. This is affecting not only their businesses but the entire food supply chain, which millions of Malaysians rely on daily,” said Dato’ T. Murugiah.
Key Concerns Raised by PRESMA:
- Bureaucratic Delays: Lengthy procedures for the recruitment and approval of foreign workers are leading to severe delays.
- Local Workforce Shortfall: Despite efforts to recruit locally, there has been minimal interest from the local workforce to take up jobs in the F&B industry.
- Need for Foreign Workers: With the current demand far exceeding supply, foreign workers are crucial to maintaining operations within the restaurant sector.
MIC is calling on the government to:
- Expedite the recruitment and visa approval processes for foreign workers to alleviate the current shortage.
- Consider alternative strategies such as special incentives for local workers or industry-specific initiatives to attract manpower.
- Engage in direct consultations with industry stakeholders such as PRESMA to better understand the challenges they are facing.
“The food and beverage industry is an essential part of Malaysia’s economy and daily life. If we do not act now, we may see a ripple effect of closures and service disruptions that will negatively impact both the economy and the livelihoods of thousands,” Dato’ Murugiah emphasized.
MIC stands ready to work with the government and all relevant stakeholders to find a swift and sustainable solution to this pressing issue. -MalayaDailyToday
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