I WAS saddened to learn that restaurants have had to turn away customers because of the labour crunch ("Empty tables? Sorry, restaurant is 'full'"; Tuesday).
Restaurant owners say it is difficult to recruit locals, who generally shun jobs in the food and beverage (F&B) industry.
The hiring quotas and high levies have made it hard for employers to hire foreign workers, who are generally known to be dedicated employees.
Singapore is known as a food paradise and it is crucial for the Government to help this industry. It is perhaps time to review and relax the current labour policies.
Many of the affected restaurants are pioneers in developing Singapore's diverse food culture. If the labour shortage is not addressed, many may have to close. This will hurt tourism and, consequently, our economy.
The Manpower Ministry and other government agencies should meet the various F&B stakeholders to address their concerns and work on solutions.
Can the ministry gather data on the number of restaurants facing a labour crunch? Does it have figures on the number that have shut down because of it?
Singaporeans do not want to eat sub-standard food. We need the F&B industry to thrive once again.
V. Balu
Restaurant owners say it is difficult to recruit locals, who generally shun jobs in the food and beverage (F&B) industry.
The hiring quotas and high levies have made it hard for employers to hire foreign workers, who are generally known to be dedicated employees.
Singapore is known as a food paradise and it is crucial for the Government to help this industry. It is perhaps time to review and relax the current labour policies.
Many of the affected restaurants are pioneers in developing Singapore's diverse food culture. If the labour shortage is not addressed, many may have to close. This will hurt tourism and, consequently, our economy.
The Manpower Ministry and other government agencies should meet the various F&B stakeholders to address their concerns and work on solutions.
Can the ministry gather data on the number of restaurants facing a labour crunch? Does it have figures on the number that have shut down because of it?
Singaporeans do not want to eat sub-standard food. We need the F&B industry to thrive once again.
V. Balu
