JOHOR restaurant operators say they are struggling to replace foreign workers wanting to return home, because of delays and access problems in the quota application system.
They said the manpower shortage was becoming critical as many operators were unable to complete applications under the foreign worker replacement quota scheme.
Johor Baru Business and Hawker Association president Roland Lim said he was still waiting for a response to a foreign worker quota application submitted in early March.
“I currently have eight foreign workers from Nepal and Bangladesh, but four of them have expressed their wish to return to their home country.
“I cannot force them to stay here if they want to go home.
“I have requested them to stay on for just a while more until I can get a replacement.
“However, without approval for the quota application, I am unable to get other foreign workers to replace them,” he said.
Lim said the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could worsen the situation, as agents might further raise their fees to attract foreign workers.
“The agent fees had gone up from about RM4,000 per worker two years ago to over RM6,000 just a few months ago.
“Now, with the ongoing conflict, the price tag will definitely skyrocket, especially as the price of fuel continues to go up.
“Some agents may also use this as an excuse to further increase the fees, which will make it even more difficult for restaurants to get foreign workers,” he added.
Johor Indian Muslim Entrepreneurs Association secretary Hussien Ibrahim said many restaurant owners were unable to access the system.
“They cannot even get into the system, let alone complete the application, and this has been going on for over a month.
“Previously, before the government removed the deadline for the application, they were still able to access the system despite the hiccups.
“Now, it is so bad that many are not even able to use the system at all,” he said.
Hussien urged the government to seriously look into the matter.
He said many restaurant owners were operating with only about 60% to 70% of the manpower they needed.
“It will get worse as some foreign workers are requesting to return home and some are reaching the end of their employment permit period.
“On top of that, the current system only allows business owners to replace manpower based on the previous quota approved for them.
“They cannot take in anything more than the quota, and this makes it particularly difficult for those wanting to expand or open a new restaurant,” he said.
