AN MCA leader has urged the government to acknowledge the severity of the closures of private commercial outlets due to public boycotts.
“The government has not responded or shared information on the affected employees and needs to conduct some basic calculations.
“Based on media reports, the number of Kentucky Fried Chicken stores shut down in Malaysia has now reached 108.
“Assuming each outlet employs an average of 12 staff members on a rotational basis, the number of affected employees has already surpassed 1,296.
“These figures exclude their families who, as a consequence, would be affected when a breadwinner loses his or her job,” said MCA Youth committee member Ling Jin Shean.
Ling, who is also the MCA Perak special task committee chairman, said if each employee has a single child, the total number of affected individuals would rise to 2,592.
“This estimate is conservative, and the actual number of impacted individuals is likely higher.
“Considering that other well-known brands such as McDonald’s, Starbucks, Burger King, and p-hailing delivery companies like Foodpanda and GrabFood, are similarly influenced by these boycott activities, the cumulative number of affected individuals would easily have exceeded tens of thousands.
“The repercussions of these boycott actions have permeated in various sectors and cannot be ignored,” he said.
The Beruas MCA division youth chief said given the current high cost of living and economic hardships in our nation, sudden job losses and income instability could set off a series of cascading effects.
“The urgency for the government to make a decision cannot be stressed enough – whether to continue remaining silent or to promptly take effective action by disclosing data and offering assistance to those affected.
“It is crucial that a dedicated task force to address the crisis transparently is established to ensure that the rights of those affected are protected.
“Transparent communication and a clear action plan are essential to effectively manage the repercussions of the boycott activities,” he said.
By engaging with the senior management of the affected companies, Ling said potential solutions and support can be explored to mitigate the impact on employees and their families.
“In times of crisis, the government, private sector, and the public need to come together to address the challenges at hand.
“Proactive measures from the government, coupled with support and cooperation from the public, are crucial in ensuring economic stability and social harmony,” he added. – The Vibes, April 30, 2024
