KUALA LUMPUR: Labelled as supporters of the Jews and subjected to various insults and criticisms from the community.
This is the fate faced by approximately 21,000 McDonald's Malaysia employees, following a boycott campaign against the fast-food chain, along with being alleged to be involved in channelling money to the third country, as reported by Harian Metro.
McDonald's Malaysia managing director and local operating partner Datuk Azmir Jaafar said some of the fast-food restaurant employees are also facing severe mental pressure due to the conflict that erupted between Palestine and Israel since early last month.
"Among the complaints that we have received are instances where our employees have been harassed, such as being called 'Jews' and subjected to various insults.
"Some of our employees use public transportation like buses and the mass rapid transit (MRT) service. When people see them wearing uniforms with the 'M' on McDonald's logo, they verbally harass our workers," he said.
Azmir, who has been involved with the brand for 32 years, said that the situation was not the first time.
"It happens every time there is a conflict involving Palestine and Israel, the brand will inevitably be involved in a boycott.
"However, we must understand that these employees have families, spouses, children and commitments they need to meet every month.
"I have explained that we have no connection to the conflict, we do not channel any funds, and as a business entity, we remain neutral without taking sides," he said, adding that McDonald's has provided counselling for affected employees.
Azmir said that the employees are not pressured to meet the eight-hour working hours in a day, as six hours are sufficient following the boycott campaign.
"The boycott campaign is impacting our business, primarily affecting our employees. Who suffers the most in this situation?
"It is the employees who bear the consequences. To be honest, my purpose here is to protect our employees.
"We have over 21,000 people working with McDonald's. They have commitments, rent to pay, elderly parents to take care of, and so on. They are all Malaysian citizens," he said.
Azmir also responded to questions about the royalties paid by the company to McDonald's Corporation, which were said to have contributed to the oppression of the Palestinian people.
"In reality, it is done to grant the rights to Gerbang Alaf Sdn Bhd to use the McDonald's brand and system as one of the franchise businesses under McDonald's Corporation.
"This allows customers to experience something similar when visiting any McDonald's restaurant in Malaysia or any other country."
He said McDonald's Malaysia also supports the government's initiative by contributing RM1 million to the Palestinian Humanitarian Fund.
Meanwhile, Reza Food Services Co Ltd general manager and developmental licensee Abdulrahman Alireza said McDonald's Malaysia has been operating in the country for over 42 years and invested between RM600 million and RM700 million annually to purchase necessities such as chicken and others.
"At the same time, we continue to intensify our community service efforts by assisting the poor, orphans, contributing to the frontlines, mosques during Friday prayers, and so on because we know that the community is our strength," he said.