MAMAK, CHINESE EATERIES HIT

KOTA KINABALU: The authorities in Sabah should increase the quota of foreign workers, especially to meet the needs of both Mamak and Chinese eateries in the State, said Sabah Indian Muslim Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DPIM) President, Datuk Baisul Khan.

He said that Mamak shops in the State alone need an extra 2,000 workers and were forced to circumvent the problem by hiring IMM13 workers and, in some cases, illegals, to make up for the shortage.

Baisul said some members were contemplating closing shop if the lack of workers persists. "As it is some of them have told me they have already cut short their hours due to lack of workers."

Baisul said with this problem coupled with the existing Cabotage policy in the State and the fact that the minimum wage is coming into force early next year, there is a possibility where they may also have to increase the prices of their food and drinks.

He said there has been poor response from locals to work in coffeeshops, restaurants, bakeries and also sundry shops, accounting for less than 10 per cent of their workers.

"We are actually appealing to the local workers to work with us in the industry but the response has not been encouraging due to long hours.

The locals prefer to work in supermarkets or seek work in the peninsula or Singapore.

"This has led to a vacuum where we do not have workers to serve. So we are appealing to the Government to do something before the situation goes beyond our control," he said.

He said this in a press conference organised by the Coffeeshop and Restaurant Operators Association comprising the West Coast Restaurant and Coffeshop Association, Sabah Restaurant and Cafe Association, Sabah Confectionery and Bakery Association and Sabah Restaurant Association in Kolombong on Tuesday.

Baisul added that the Government currently charges a levy which comes close to RM2,200 in total for each Indian restaurant worker brought in from India and that by allowing the increase of the workers the government stands to gain more income from the additional levies.

"Last year the Government earned RM86 million just from the levy alone. We are willing to pay the levy for these workers but the quota we are given by the Labour Department is just not enough. In Semenanjung getting enough workers is not a problem. You pay the levy and you can get the workers."

He said the State sees a lot of tourists from Japan, Korea and Taiwan, for example, who come here to enjoy the cuisine including seafood and also enjoy the natural scenery.

"However when they visit our restaurants, we are unable to serve them due to the shortage of manpower and as a result after waiting for some time they are fed up and eventually leave.

This represents a loss in business for us," he said. "As such we are appealing to the State Government to come up with a solution for our problems."