I had a delightful tea conversation with Candy Moy from Asian Age Holdings this afternoon. I know the business name totally does not ring a bell but her boss owns The Huckleberry Cafe and Food Foundry. I can hear everyone going, “Ooooh that one!”…. yes, that one! Over tea and a slice of their signature Mille Crepe, we discussed a problem that a lot of restaurants, pubs and cafes seem to be facing in Klang Valley – the lack of local waiting staff. My question to everyone reading this is whether you guys think the problem is cultural, wage related or enforcement related.
The good news is that some local gems can still be found. This is Shawn. He serves at Ultimo, Solaris Mont Kiara. He and his crew did an awesome job serving my friends and I during a recent food review.
Personally, I think it is least likely to be wage related. Our locals seem to be perfectly comfortable with smaller wage packets as long as the job isn’t challenging… the first thoughts in my head are the money collectors at toll booths and promoters handing out brochures. If you find that offensive, I do apologize… but I am just stating an honest fact. Those jobs are primarily filled by locals.
It could be enforcement related because the Malay Muslims make up the majority of the workforce and there have been a number of incidents whereby questionable raids were conducted and the whole ambiguous issue of whether Muslims can work in environments which require them to handle alcohol and serve alcohol caused for much unnecessary grief to waiting staff. I once knew a Malay bartender who left working in a hotel bar and switched to being the head waiter at a successful mamak restaurant because he was harassed by religious authorities.
Having said all that, I told Candy that I think that the problem is cultural. The example I highlighted was that of the teaching profession. Some years ago the Chinese dailies reported that some Chinese parents were scaring their children and telling them that if they don’t buck up with their studies they would end up being teachers. I feel that somewhere along our journey of attempting to being a developed nation, we have formed social stigmas around certain jobs (that it is beneath us) and have formed perceptions that certain jobs should be performed by a particular race. No doubt the other two points discussed have an impact but I believe this is the main reason why we have a shortage of local waiting staff in Klang Valley. Having said that, my third point is purely my own wild theory and I have nothing substantial to back me up. *you may stone me to death now*
Please do share your thoughts. I am sure there are reasons I have not considered and would like to bring them up with restaurant owners to solve their staffing problems.
Some supporting articles:
The Star – Malaysians shun work in restaurants
Malaysia Today – Malaysian waitress who served beer to model faces caning
I reckon locals feel it’s beneath them to serve their peers (which makes it cultural-related, I guess). Let’s not just talk about Muslims being harrassed by religious authorities. I don’t know about now, but 3-4 years ago I did not notice that many Chinese wait staff in licensed outlets either.
But, why is that a problem? Lack of staff may be problem, lack of experienced staff is definitely a problem, but why do they have to be locals?
Hi gfad… well, firstly the permits are not easy to get. Along with the permits are a whole long list of problems… working with accountable agencies, housing, runaway cases, theft…
… then there is the language itself. Massive barrier to providing good service when the waitings staff can’t understand you and you can’t understand them.
If that’s the case, then it should be a problem getting domestic helpers as well. Is there a shortage there too? Or do they have a different set of rules and regulations??
Ohhhh indeed… it is difficult getting domestic helpers. They froze Indonesian maids for a while… so a lot of families have had to try Cambodian or Pilipino.
Generally quite hard to converse with Cambodian helpers and Pilipino helpers cost almost twice as much…
A very good indicator of whether there is a lack of domestic helpers (in Malaysia) is to see how frequent FBB does his fabulous house parties. If he cuts back… means there is a shortage of domestic help!