Malaysia's Indian Muslim restaurants, known as mamaks, are grappling with a severe labor shortage. To address this, one association has proposed hiring registered Rohingya refugees, raising questions about security and the impact on refugee influx.
Malaysia's Indian Muslim restaurant sector, affectionately known as mamaks, is facing a severe labor shortage due to the country's ongoing freeze on foreign worker hiring. Two restaurant associations, the Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Operators Association (PRESMA) and the Malaysian Indian Restaurant Operators Association, reported a shortage of 25,000 workers, prompting appeals to the government to ease hiring restrictions.
In response to the crisis, PRESMA has proposed hiring registered Rohingya refugees to fill the void. Rohingya refugees, a Muslim minority persecuted in Myanmar, constitute 60 percent of the 192,000 registered refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia. PRESMA's deputy president, Tahir Salam, stated their willingness to accept refugees from any country with proper government documentation.While the large Rohingya refugee population in Malaysia presents a potential solution to the labor shortage, concerns remain regarding security and the potential impact on refugee influx. Efforts to allow refugees formal employment have been slow, with analysts previously highlighting the sensitivity of the issue and the possibility of backlash from locals who already perceive refugees as a security threat. Furthermore, Malaysia is not a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention and its related 1967 protocol, limiting refugees to informal sector jobs.Despite these limitations, some Rohingya refugees already work in mamak restaurants, taking up informal roles like cleaning and vegetable preparation. Supporters of hiring Rohingya argue that it will sustain the iconic mamak restaurant sector, keep prices affordable for tourists and locals, and improve monitoring of refugees' locations. Critics, however, contend that Rohingya refugees may lack the necessary skills and discipline for the demanding work environment, potentially tarnishing the sector's reputation. One Rohingya refugee who has worked in mamak restaurants for over two decades expressed his understanding of the differing viewpoints, emphasizing the importance of respecting Malaysian law and people while acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding formal employment opportunities
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