The Philippines ranks among top off-shoring hubs in the world because of cost competitiveness and, more importantly, our highly trainable, English proficient, IT-enabled management and manpower.
– Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, 14th president of the Philippines
I recall Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg warning the key economic sectors 10 months ago of a worsening statewide manpower crunch if serious efforts to find a solution were not forthcoming.
A visionary leader, he predicted the problem exacerbating in the housing, infrastructure, construction and plantation industries, and advised the business community event in Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers Association in Kuching last August that they could not hope to rely on foreign workers, especially from Indonesia, to get their work done.
“They are no longer coming to Sarawak in numbers that are required by our major economic sectors. Our plantations are already feeling the serious impact as the Indonesians are focusing on the many projects booming in their new capital Nusantara in Kalimantan.
“Sarawak’s construction industry is also facing similar worries on labour needs. We have no choice but to look towards our own people to reduce dependency on foreign workers.
“We will need to go into automation and robotics to reduce dependency on foreign labourers,” he said.
Hardly a year has passed and the Premier’s ominous warning has come true. Last Saturday (May 27) in Limbang, he said the state is facing a serious manpower shortage, especially in northern Sarawak where Limbang and Lawas are undergoing unprecedented economic growth with numerous on-going and upcoming development projects planned by the government.
As of April 30, 226 projects in Limbang are either under various implementing agencies or have been completed.
Abang Johari attributed the rapid growth to Sarawak’s thriving and well-managed economy, hence, the many projects, especially in the northern region.
“In fact, there are too many projects here. So, this has led us to other problems such as lack of manpower,” he said.
While, it’s true that foreigners might not be as enthusiastic as they were previously to work in Sarawak or even in Malaya, because of more opportunities back in their home countries, there are several other factors preventing foreigners – whether Indonesians, Indians, Bangladeshis or Pakistanis – working in this country.
Apart from poor treatment and exploitation, red tape is a main grievance faced by employers, especially restaurateurs.
Agencies and departments that are involved in facilitating the movement of foreign labour into the state should seriously look into making it easier for foreign workers to come in.
Of course we all know the construction, housing and plantation sectors face serious shortages of manpower. But another sector that is struggling is the beverage and services industry – the hotels and eateries in particular.
Restaurants are struggling to stay afloat post-pandemic. Not because they find it hard to get foreign skilled workers – yes, eateries need skilled workers who have adequate training in the food industry. These people are more than willing to work in Sarawak.
But unfortunately, bureaucracy and some people in certain agencies are making it hard for the poor restaurant owners to hire foreign chefs and experienced kitchen helpers. Employ locals as kitchen helper? Forget it! They will be around for a few days and later disappear into thin air.
Locals are not keen to work in a restaurant environment, maybe they are more suited to kopitiam jobs where they may feel less pressured.
I was made to understand that each Chinese or Indian restaurant is allowed only to hire two foreign Chinese or Indian chefs respectively. And they are allowed two Indonesian workers each while the rest should be locals.
Unlike Chinese restaurants which may not find the quota an issue as they can always hire local ethnic Chinese cooks or helpers, Indian restaurant owners, however, are scratching their heads. Indians are just a drop among the three million or so of the Sarawak population. So, where on earth can one find Indians who wish to work as cooks?
Indian and Chinese restaurants operate long hours by popular demand. And most of the workers operate on shift.
Train locals? Yes, restaurateurs tried, but the trainees usually absconded with their week or month’s takings.
It’s therefore only practical for the Labour Department to issue more APs for foreign chefs and kitchen helpers.
One restaurateur who operates several Indian outlets statewide laments that it’s taking too long – sometimes as long as three to four months – to get their APs approved.
“By the time we get hold of the APs the workers whom we had made arrangement to bring to Sarawak would have become fed-up and decided not to come.
“This is where the headache starts as the APs are in their names and are not transferrable. We are told to reapply! Why can’t the government make it easier by allowing us to transfer the AP.
“We will have to wait for another three months for a fresh document to be approved. Mati lah like this!” said the owner.
Calling visas for the foreign workers also take a long time, it seems.
Several other Indian restaurateurs are appealing to the authorities to speed up the process and reduce red tape. And make it easier to do business and earn a living.
They are not asking money from the government; they are just pleading for reduced red tape and faster approvals. Otherwise, it would be a matter of time before they tutup kedia like so many other restaurants had done during the pandemic.
Isn’t it an irony? On one hand we have our leaders encouraging people to be entrepreneurial, but on the other hand, we have crippling red tape haunting our hardworking entrepreneurs.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
