GEORGE TOWN: Employers here are clamouring for Indonesian helpers, with many hoping that both countries can sign a new memorandum of recruitment at the soonest.

       Restaurateur Shamsul Munir Safini, 38, said more help is needed for dine-in services as the country is transitioning towards an endemic stage from April 1.

       “The food and beverage industry is doing better and better following the ease of the pandemic restrictions, with many people now preferring to dine in.

       “We are desperate for more workers, especially from Indonesia, to help us run the restaurant.

       “Both governments should not delay the MOU signing on recruitment of domestic helpers,” said Shamsul, who is now being helped by his wife and four Indonesian workers at his restaurant in Seberang Jaya.

       He also said the cost structure of hiring Indonesian domestic workers should be capped so that employers like him would not be financially burdened further.

       “Everyone is still trying to get back on their feet after the pandemic.

       “A reasonable price should be fixed so that no maid agencies can take advantage of the situation,” he added.

       It was earlier reported that the Indonesian and Malaysian governments had reached an agreement on the final draft of an MOU on the placement and protection of Indonesian domestic workers (PDI) in Malaysia.

       They had agreed on salaries, weekly and annual leave entitlement, the right to communicate, a ban on withholding passports and on one PDI only serving a household not exceeding six people, among others.

       Businessman Syed Mohamed Syed Hassan, 31, said he badly needs a maid to take care of his children when he and his wife are out at work.

       The owner of a fine dining restaurant said he might also need domestic help in his daily operation.

       “For now, we have to take turns to care for our children. Sometimes, we have to bring our children to work.

       “When the international borders reopen on April 1, we may also have to employ Indonesian helpers to run the restaurant.

       “It is hard to get the locals to work in restaurants. The staff turnover is very high every month,” he added.