With fast-food restaurant operators in Malaysia no longer allowed to hire foreign workers, it is likely to have an adverse effect on prospective Nepali migrant workers.

A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Foreign Workers and Illegal Immigrants of Malaysia chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin recently took a decision to this effect with an aim to encourage the local work force in the sector.

There has been a growing demand of Nepalis in international food chains like KFC. And, the decision could affect thousands of Nepali aspirants who are preferred for such frontline office jobs, including waiter and cashier. Most of the Nepalis working in Malaysian restaurants serve as cook, kitchen help and cleaner, among others. 

Although the Malaysian government has said it won’t entertain foreign workers, no further details have been given. An official at Nepal’s embassy in Malaysia told 

the Post he came to know about the issue through the media and is yet to get detailed information. 

Restaurants and fast food chains are among the most soft after employers in Malaysia after, security jobs. It has been learnt the Malaysian government took the decision considering the youngsters’ attraction towards the sector. 

One of the manpower agents said as the number of foreign workers in fast food chains and restaurants is already less, it won’t have a big impact on Nepali workers. “Most of the restaurants and fast food chains have native workers. Therefore, it won’t have a big impact on Nepalis.”

“Fast food restaurant operators are barred off deploying foreign workers, as many locals are attracted towards this profession,” Yassin was quoted in news carried by local newspaper New States Times. “We should prioritize locals in this sector.”

The Malaysian government had permitted foreign workers in fast food restaurants, newspaper shops and as cleaners in Dec 27, 2011. 

Since it is easier to work in the services sector compared to others, the locals aren’t much interested sectors like construction and agriculture.

In a bid to cut the number of foreign workers and manage them properly, Malaysia had introduced a blanket amnesty and validation schem in 2011.

 

MALAYSIA: The Malaysian government has said it will provide identity cards to around 2.3 million migrant workers. The cards, which will have thumb prints of the holders, will be different in colour based on the sectors the cardholders work in. The card is likely to come into the practice from November 15. (PR)