Industry players want the government to actively work with the sector to address structural issues and offer aid to them.
“Even with higher salaries and better benefits, hotel operators are still unable to hire more local people to meet the workload,” she said, adding that the problem was widespread among hotels in Malaysia. “We hope more local people will consider working in hotels. We are not just short of housekeeping staff but restaurant chefs and front desk staff as well,” she said in an interview.She hoped the government would relax some conditions to make it easier for the hotel industry to recruit foreign workers as soon as possible.“And Malaysians can’t expect lower room rates because of inflation and operating costs that have gone up by 20% to 30%.
As for the drivers, many are adopting a wait-and-see attitude and staying in their present jobs for now. Chong said it cost at least RM15,000 to RM20,000 to repair and maintain a bus, including sprucing up the vehicle, replacing tyres and batteries, and renewing the insurance.