A struggle for canteen operators

 

GEORGE TOWN: Several canteen operators here are hoping that their depleted savings will hold out until schools reopen on Jan 20.

One of them, Ooi Kim Joo, 68, said many were now relying on their savings to get through the day.

She has been operating a foodstall at SJK(C) Shih Chung Cawangan in Sungai Nibong with the help of her husband and daughter for over 10 years.

“Now the three of us have no income. We looked for part-time jobs but it is hard to find one these days, ” she said.

Ooi said she had to pay the school a basic monthly rental of RM2,000, excluding electricity and water bill.

“This year, I only paid rental once in the beginning of the year, as schools are not open on a regular basis, ” she said yesterday.

Another canteen operator, who wanted to be known as Gooi, 60, said he had been selling food packs to neighbours to overcome his financial constraints.

“All canteen operators are affected. With schools closed, we cannot do anything, ” said the canteen operator at SJK(C) Li Tek B in Lintang Macallum.

In Ipoh, canteen operator Marcus Chang turned to home cooking and delivery services when the MCO was first implemented in March.

When schools reopened in July, he stopped doing so.

He resumed home cooking and delivery services earlier this month when all schools nationwide were ordered shut for the remainder of the year.

“I can’t just sit and do nothing. It’s really tough, making just enough to get by daily, ” he said when contacted.

Chang said it had not been easy as his main business suffered huge losses.

“Even when school reopened in July, my business suffered by about 60% as only a handful of students came to buy food.

“I am already in the third and final year of my contract with the school, ” he added.

Another operator, who wanted to be known as Meriam, said she had no choice but to cope with the losses.

“I’ve spent a lot on items meant to be sold or cooked at the canteen.

“I only keep things that could be kept while perishable items like eggs and others were donated to orphanages, ” she added.

In Johor Baru, Kang Bee Bee, who runs canteens in SJK(C) Ladang Grisek and SJK(C) Masai in Pasir Gudang with her sister, said they were forced to turn to social media to offer takeaways and deliveries to houses and factories nearby.

“Some supportive parents continued ordering packed food from us for their children. But our takings have been badly hit.

“What we used to make in a day, we are only getting in a week now, ” said the mother of three.

Kang said besides her family members, they also had the livelihoods of four workers to think of.

“Business has been tough as only about 400 of the 2,000 pupils in both schools are ordering food from us, ” she said, adding that she charged RM2 for a rotating menu which included nasi lemak, mee goreng, spaghetti, mee siam and chicken rice.

SK Taman Scientex canteen operator Herman Mohammad, 58, said the current situation was the worst he had encountered in his 20 years as a canteen operator.

“It was not this bad during the previous economic crises and I have never experienced a school closure for such a long time.

“Some friends advised me to do food delivery but I do not think it is feasible, as I am getting old. There are too many people doing food delivery anyway.

“Luckily my children have all grown up and are helping with my daily expenses, ” he added.

A senior teacher, who declined to be named, said the canteen operator in her school in Johor Baru was very upset and frustrated with the situation.

“My headmaster is worried whether the operator will return next year given the current situation.

“But I am unclear about the contract as it is not under my purview, ” she said. - Star