The menfolk in Penang could soon be sporting long hairdos, as and unless the federal government intervenes.

This is because Indian barbers, the preferred choice of the majority, warned that they could go bust if the government does not lift the freeze on foreign workers from India.

NONE Penang Indian Hairstylists and Saloon Entrepreneurs Association president K Saataiya claimed that the freeze which was enforced over the past few years had caused massive manpower shortage in the sector.

He said the shortage was so severe that at least 200 Indian-owned hair saloons including 50 in Penang have closed shop since June this year.

"The government not only barred skilled workers from India, but also disallowed us from renewing the permits of existing workers.

"Since we were already facing severe manpower shortage, the freeze on new manpower recruitment and permit renewal have really crippled our business," he said.

"We cannot maintain the existing business, let alone expand it," he told a press conference in George Town today.

Locals not interested

Five years ago, Saataiya said the federal government allowed some 2,200 permits to Indian hairdressing saloons nationwide to recruit skilled manpower from India.

He said the permits were given following a nationwide campaign to compel the federal government to allow barbers to hire at least 5,000 skilled manpower from India.

However, he said since then the barbers were disallowed from recruiting anyone from India until today.

He said the Putrajaya administration wanted barbers to recruit local workers instead to cover the shortage of manpower.

NONE However, Saataiya pointed out that local youths were not interested in this line of work.

He said currently each of the estimated 3,000 saloons in the country, including 120 in Penang, would need at least three workers.

Due to the shortage, he said many shops have closed down because owners cannot even afford to pay rental, ranging between RM1,000 and RM2,0000.

"The hairdressing sector is among the businesses in which supply is less than demand in the country.

"The government should be proactive in helping us to overcome our manpower shortage," said Saataiya.

On average, a hairdressing saloon enjoy a business turnover between RM4,000 and RM5,000 per month.

A saloon entrepreneur could earn between RM1,500 and RM2,000 net income per month.