Malaysia's chicken ban: Butchers, hawkers hope for govt aid after slaughterhouses get foreign worker levy waiver

Businesses along the supply chain for fresh poultry such as butchers and suppliers that are hurt by Malaysia's partial live chicken export ban are seeking government support, following the waiver of the foreign worker levy for chicken slaughterhouses. 

Finance Minister Lawrence Wong announced on Tuesday (June 21) that 11 slaughterhouses here affected by the ban, which kicked in on June 1, will receive a one-month waiver of the foreign worker levy. 

This was among a raft of support measures from a S$1.5 billion package to help more vulnerable groups cope with rising living costs.

Poultry abattoirs welcomed this support, saying that it is "better than nothing", but other businesses along the supply chain said that if the export ban drags on, they hope that the Government will consider giving them support as well.

Butcher Chua Lian Heng, owner of Lian Heng Poultry Supply at Taman Jurong Market, told TODAY that smaller businesses such as his have been left to fend for themselves, whereas the relatively larger slaughterhouses are beneficiaries of the government aid.

The poultry slaughterhouses are glad that they have been given some much-needed support, but also noted that other firms along the supply chain are still in need of aid.