Indian restaurant industry in deep trouble.
The Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association (PRIMAS) has accused the government of creating confusion in the application procedures for foreign workers, which are supposed to address the current shortage of foreign workers.
There are continuing irregularities in the quota system application to provide a replacement worker for a worker to address the labor shortage in Indian restaurants.
In response to continued requests from PRIMAS, the government announced in August last year that applications for the foreign worker quota system could be submitted until 31 December 2025. The procedure for this was published in October 2025.
At that time, while restaurant owners were busy applying for foreign workers, the Ministry of Internal Trade and Cost of Living announced on December 19, 2025 that the interviews were postponed and that the front desks for the same would be closed from December 26, 2025 to January 2, 2026, and that the front desks would reopen on January 5, 2026.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced on 24 December 2025 that the quota for foreign workers has been completed and the importation of foreign workers is fully completed.
In addition, the foreign exchange rate for 2025
The Ministry of Home Affairs announced on 24 December 2025 that the Special Application Quota Application for Workers will be opened on a new website from 19 January 2026 to 31 March 2026.
But the new website only shows "Full-No Timeslots Available" and the Primas members are struggling to find a time slot for the interview. The last date for the new application is March 31, so restaurant owners have not yet received permission for replacement workers or new workers.
With the Indian restaurant industry reeling from a labor shortage, the continued delay in applications could further worsen the situation.
The statement issued by the association states that the government should immediately intervene in this matter and address the ongoing irregularities in applications and put an end to the labor shortage problem faced by Indian restaurant owners.
