KUALA LUMPUR: The one-off RM1,000 assistance for school canteen operators announced by the Perikatan Nasional government is a lifeline to help them sustain their livelihoods.
The assistance is expected to benefit some 10,000 school canteen operators across the country who have been facing uncertainties ever since the Covid-19 pandemic hit last year and schools had to undergo extended closures.
On June 28, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced a one-off financial assistance of RM1,000 for all registered canteen operators, as part of the Pakej Perlindungan Rakyat dan Pemulihan Ekonomi (Pemulih) aid package.
On July 4, the Education Ministry said it would grant rental exemptions to school canteen operators for six months, from July to December this year.
It is believed that some 30 per cent of government school canteen operators have called it quits, while many others are struggling to stay afloat due to loss of income.
The Association of School Canteen Operators (PPKSM) heaved a sigh of relief when the assistance under Pemulih was announced on June 28.
Its secretary, Siti Normah Md Desa, said the amount would help its members, especially those in need.
"We have not been earning anything since the pandemic started, which forced some of us to look for alternatives, such as doing e-hailing services or selling homecooked food.
"We are surviving on our savings and that is depleting day by day.
"We were happy when schools reopened briefly period last year. But we still shouldered 70 to 80 per cent losses in that time.
"When the Pemulih assistance was announced, we were happy to know that the government was looking into our plight," she told the New Straits Times yesterday.
Siti Normah said this was the second assistance given to school canteen operators.
"We received RM1,500 in assistance from the Education Ministry last year.
"Earlier this month, we heard the good news that the ministry is giving us a moratorium on canteen rental for six months, from July to December this year.
"This one-off assistance will certainly help ease our burden."
It is understood that the one-off assistance will be disbursed by the Education Ministry to registered school canteen operators.
A school canteen operator in the Klang Valley, Chris Chin, 42, said every sen would help operators during times like this.
"It has been a difficult time for operators in the past two years with the school closures.
"What makes matter worse is despite the uncertainty, operators have to be ready to operate as soon as schools reopen.
"When schools are told to close immediately, we are left with too much stock of perishables and essential goods. And all these have short expiry dates. We end up disposing everything and incurring heavy losses.
"At times like these, every sen counts, even RM1,000. We can at least pay our utility bills, such as electricity, work permits, pest control and maintenance of the premises."
Sabah PPKSM representative Awang Daud Awang Anak said the Pemulih assistance is expected to benefit more than 1,000 school canteen operators in the state.
"We are thankful for the assistance given under Pemulih, as well as the moratorium on canteen rental announced recently.
"This will help ease our burden during these trying times.
"We hope the Education Ministry will consider an automatic contract renewal system for those of us whose contract will end this year.
"They have stayed closed for most of this year and it is unfair if their contracts are terminated as they have not been able to make any income since the pandemic hit.
"I hope the Education Ministry will consider automatic contract renewals for affected operators."