Roti canai makers flock to Singapore
By ZAZALI MUSA
Photos By ZAZALI MUSA
- METRO NEWS
- Saturday, 07 Oct 2023
Mohd Razul says it is not easy to get experienced roti canai makers now.
MALAYSIA’S roti canai tops the list as the best bread in the world by the online travel guide Taste Atlas that promotes traditional food worldwide.
Mamak restaurants have been facing difficulties getting roti canai makers since the opening of the borders between Malaysia and Singapore on April 1, 2022,’’ he said.
Hussein said the majority of them had waited patiently for the reopening of the borders between the two countries during the Covid-19 pandemic to cross over to Singapore to work at eateries selling roti canai or known as roti parata in the republic.
He said the daily wage for a roti canai maker in Johor Baru was between RM80 and RM90. However, although the sum was good for those who did not excel academically, locals were not keen to take up the job.
According to Hussein, a roti canai maker working at a hawker centre in Singapore is paid S$50 (RM171) daily, while experienced roti canai makers working at Indian restaurants can command between S$70 and S$100 (RM240 and RM343).
“Majority of roti canai makers working in Singapore are Malaysians as Singaporeans, like their Malaysian counterparts, are not interested in the job,’’ added Hussein.