INDIAN barber shops are struggling to overcome economic obstacles, 10 months after they had been allowed to operate again, due to a shortage of workers.

Malaysian Indian Barber Owners’ Association vice-treasurer Meenaq Kumar told The Malaysian Insight that close to 30% of Indian barber shops have had to shut down since the start of Covid-19, more so this year due to the lack of barbers.

“There has not been much difference from last year.

“Last year our business was bad due to Covid-19 but now we are suffering due to a shortage of workers,” said Meenaq.

Many closed this year and they form about 30% of the association’s 870 members who are located mostly in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

He said the group’s members run about 3,000 shops and they require about 2,500 foreign workers urgently to prevent more closures.

“We have been facing this worker shortage issue for more than 10 years but now it’s more severe.

“Before Covid-19, we had about two to three workers in a shop but nowadays most shops operate with only one worker.

“With one worker we can’t do much because it results in fewer customers, and with the rising inflation, along with the rent we have to pay, we can’t manage the business,” he said.

Meenaq, who is also the coordinator for the Indian Barber Owners’ Association in Negri Sembilan, said local hairdressers typically do not work in Indian barber shops as they have their own businesses.

Indian barber shops are popular for their excellent shearing skills at a lower price compared with other salons, and favoured by some for the head massage thrown in after the haircut.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Indian Hairstylist Empowerment Association (Mihass) president Mohammad Jaffar said business was much more stable now.

“This is mainly because there is no restriction to the number of customers allowed in the premises or the type of services offered.”

However, he also said the worker shortage situation was worse now.

“We have already requested multiple times to the government to allow us to hire foreign workers but with no success.

“Most Indian barbershop owners are waiting for good news from the government, which they hope will come soon,” said Mohammad.

He added that about 30% of Mihass members, which constitute around 200 barbers, have had to shut down due to the lack of workers.

When asked about hiring local barbers, he said many shops have started giving free courses to get locals in.

“We are still very much in the early stage so it will take some time before we can get the locals to work at Indian barber shops.”

A barber shop owner, who only wants to be known as Ram, said with his one worker, he can barely make an income.

“Even the one worker I have is from the food and beverage industry, so I had to spend some time teaching him.

“I really hope the government will allow the hiring of foreign workers very soon. If not, I have to close my shop as well.

“It is almost impossible for Indian barber shops to operate without foreign workers,” said Ram, whose shop is located in Petaling Jaya.

“Our services are very cheap so we can’t afford to pay the high salary locals expect, hence we look for foreign workers.”

On July 21, Human Resources Minister M. Saravanan said Malaysia has agreed to open up more sectors for foreign workers from India to work in.

“Recently, the Home Ministry and Human Resources Ministry joint committee have approved other sectors,” he said briefly in parliament.

Earlier that week Saravanan and Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin said three industries – manufacturing, construction and services – will be allowed to hire foreign workers from all 15 source countries.

The Home Ministry website lists the 15 countries as India, Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, the Philippines, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Indonesia and Kazakhstan. – August 5, 2022.