Relax rules for hiring foreign labour in retail, Mydin boss tells Putrajaya

 

The retail trade needs foreign workers just like the other five ‘critical’ industries, says Mydin hypermarkets managing director Ameer Ali Mydin.

PETALING JAYA: The head of a hypermarket chain has called on the human resources ministry to relax the rules for hiring foreign workers in the retail sector.

Mydin hypermarkets managing director Ameer Ali Mydin said the retail sector is experiencing a manpower shortage.

The sector is at a “very critical juncture” like the other five “critical” industries, he said, referring to manufacturing, construction, plantations, agriculture, and food and beverage.

“There are longer queues in malls and hypermarkets, and there are not enough staff to replenish goods.

Ameer Ali Mydin.

“It’s bad now, and the situation will only get worse during Raya (season),” he told FMT.

Yesterday, human resources minister V Sivakumar said the government’s relaxation of conditions for the hiring of migrant workers will be limited to the five “critical” industries.

He said the ministry will process and approve applications within three working days after the application is received.

Ameer expressed disappointment with Sivakumar’s announcement as representatives from the retail sector had met the minister to discuss their manpower needs.

He said retail players are “disappointed, frustrated and up in arms” over the announcement as it was made after their meeting with Sivakumar.

He said Sivakumar needs to be fair to the other sectors, adding that the retail sector contributes a significant amount to the country’s gross domestic product and pays a lot of taxes.

According to the department of statistics, the wholesale and retail trade sector is estimated to have contributed 16% to the GDP in 2021.

“Have a heart. Consider relaxing the hiring rules for the retail sector as well. Don’t treat us like a stepchild,” he said.

Malaysian Budget Hotel Association (MyBHA) president Sri Ganesh Michiel also said he is disappointed with the announcement, calling it a “discrimination” against the hospitality sector.

Sri Ganesh said the hospitality industry is burdened with staff shortage, notably housekeepers, and feel that they should be included in the list.

“We have raised this with the minister but it seems our words have fallen on deaf ears. The Chinese border is open and we are expecting an influx of tourists,” he said.

He said the ministry should review the list and include the hospitality and tourism industry to ensure it is supported by the government.

“There’s no point in promoting tourism if there’s no support for the industry,” he said. - FMT