STATE GOVT URGED TO ASSIST HAIRCARE AND BEAUTY SECTORS
4 Feb 2021
KOTA KINABALU: The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government has been urged to assist the haircare and beauty sectors.
This comes following complains that these sectors have been neglected by the government.
In a statement released on Thursday, Warisan Vice President Datuk Junz Wong said he has been receiving many complains from those affected.
"Hairstylists, beauticians, make up artists, massage centres, as well as pedicure and manicure operators are among the worst hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, yet they are the ones most neglected by the government.
"When the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) was implemented in June last year, haircare salons, barbershops and beauty parlours were among the last sectors to be allowed to reopen due to the difficulty to comply with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as their work involves physical contact. After a few months of operation, they had to suspend operations again," he said.
Junz stated that the sectors have been repetitively overlooked by the government as they do not qualify for food baskets.
"The moratorium has been lifted, and even the EPF withdrawals are so stringent that they cannot withdraw their own money," he said.
The Tanjung Aru State Assemblyman suggested that while resuming businesses operations would be tricky, the government could look into innovative measures to assist them.
"I understand the necessity for these sectors to suspend operations as cases are soaring high, but these victims have families to feed, rent to pay, workers salaries to pay and loans to settle.
"The government should look into innovative measures to immediately provide assistance, allowing them to get through this crisis."
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