Malaysian Association of Wellness and Spa president Dorothea Justin said with all business and social sectors already allowed to operate, there was no reason to restrict certain industries from employing foreign workers.
“The wellness and spa industry is appealing to the government to allow all sectors of services, not just restaurants, to engage foreign workers," she added. Justin said spa operators were among the first to close when the pandemic hit and among the last allowed to reopen. Justin pointed out that many locals do not stay long in the profession and sometimes opt out because of family obligations or disapproval.
He added that the government would consider expanding this to other sectors once the shortage in critical areas had been resolved.