BARBERSHOPS in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur can now operate after both regions moved into phase 2 of the Covid-19 National Recovery Plan, but this has come too late for about a third of Indian barbers in the Klang Valley who have already closed down.

The string of lockdowns since March last year had left them no choice, Malaysian Indian Barber Owners’ Association vice-treasurer Meenaq Kumar said.

Many closed more than seven months ago and they form about 30% of the association’s 720 members who are located mostly in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, he said.

The biggest factor was their inability to pay rent for their shops due to a drop in income.

“Our members who were forced to close more than seven months ago as they had barely had enough savings to sustain the shops,” Meenaq told The Malaysian Insight.

He is also the coordinator for the Indian barber owners’ association in Negri Sembilan, where he said business has dropped by almost 50%.

Another reason for the closures is the shortage of workers, many of whom are from India and they have returned to their home country after the first lockdown was eased last year.

The exodus caused a shortage of about 2,000 workers.

“The sector needs about 3,000 foreign workers to operate as usual.

“Since most of them left after the first movement-control order last year, many shops have had to shut down,” Meenaq said.

Local hairdressers typically do not work in Indian barbershops as they have their own businesses. Indian barbershops are popular for their excellent shearing skills at a lower price than 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 that member barbershops are only making 50% of what they used to earn before the pandemic.

“Since the multiple lockdowns, 36 of our 480 members have closed their shops for good. 

“Their main reason is that they are not able to pay rent as landlords would not give discounts on rents during the lockdowns,” he said.

Mohammad said that while barbers can resume business, costs have also increased in order to comply with Covid-19 standard operating procedure.

He said some barbers have tried to raise prices, which made customers unhappy.

“We tried to increase it by about RM3 to cover extra expenses. But customers want us to remain at RM10 per haircut.”

The extra costs incurred are for items like protective gear and sanitisers.

Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya moved into phase 2 last Friday.

Only Kedah and Johor are still in phase 1, which has the strictest movement restrictions, while other states are in phase 2 and beyond.

The SOP for phase 2 states will allow salons and barbershops to extend full services to fully vaccinated customers.

However, both Meenaq and Mohammad felt that the majority of customers are still afraid to go to barbershops as the number of daily Covid-19 cases remains high. – September 19, 2021.