KUALA LUMPUR – While a lot of attention has been placed on the reopening of schools and its impact on teachers and students, canteen operators’ incomes have been hit by confusing standard operating procedures (SOPs) on school cafeteria operations.
In a desperate plea for the return of their livelihood, canteen operators in financial distress reminded the government that they are voters, too.
The Association of School Canteen Operators Malaysia (PPKSM) said their incomes have been affected by the pandemic, as well as tender practices in schools.
In a press conference today, PPKSM vice-president Salmah Othman said her association boasts a membership of 10,200 canteen operators – employing around 51,000 workers.
“The government must realise that we are voters too. We work hard constantly to make sure students are properly fed with clean and healthy food,” Salmah said.
Salmah said canteen operators are required to serve students in classes, despite a lack of manpower due to the pandemic.
She stressed that it is tough to find workers, seeing that schools are not operating at full capacity – coupled with the fact that Malaysia has a lot of school holidays.
More alarmingly, Salmah said, canteen operators are not given contract extensions from schools.
She explained that operators would usually get a two-year contract to run a canteen, and there is an option for a one-year extension.
“However, canteen operators were barely operating canteens throughout the pandemic, and now they are unsure if they will get an extension,” Salmah said.
Additionally, it was pointed out that operators are required to cover costs for the maintenance of canteen premises, which Salmah said should be done by the schools themselves.
She urged the Education Ministry (MoE) to implement an automatic one-year contract extension for canteen operators.
Salmah said besides the maintenance of the canteen infrastructure, operators are still required to pay utilities – despite not operating due to the pandemic.
“Throughout closures during the movement control order, canteen operators had to bear utility costs of at least RM1,000 a month.
“Even though we are operating, due to strict SOPs, canteen operators’ incomes have been (adversely) affected by at least 70%,” she said.
Salmah said PPKSM will be presenting its memorandum to the MoE in Putrajaya on October 28. – The Vibes, October 23, 2021
