Barbers raise their rates

Costlier cuts: Muniandi Kupan, 60, attending to customers at his shop in Petaling Jaya. Indian barbers will increase their rates by RM2 from today. — FAIHAN GHANI / The Star

PETALING JAYA: Indian barbers in the country have decided to raise prices for haircuts by RM2 effective today.

Malaysian Indian Hairdressers Association president K. Kaviarasan said an unanimous decision was made at a meeting here on Wednesday.

He said the barbers last increased their prices 10 years ago.

Kaviarasan said the increase was due to higher rental for the shops, increase in price for the barber’s equipment, higher electricity and water tariffs as well as the increase in salaries for workers.

“The RM11 charge for a haircut and shave has been raised to RM13 while those charging RM12 can increase it to RM14,’’ he said.

Kaviarasan said the RM9 charge for haircut and shave in Penang, Kedah, Perak, Johor, Malacca, Negri Sembilan and Pahang would be increased to RM11.

“We believe the RM2 increase will not burden customers as they usually visit the barber about once a month,” he said, adding that Indian barbers charged less than other hair salons.

He said the association would consider appropriate action against those who failed to adhere to the decision to raise the prices.