Overworked and Underpaid: Singaporean Market Worker Shares Disturbing Reality of Unfair Labor Practices

A Malaysian woman working at a mini-market in Singapore has gone viral on social media after sharing her harrowing experience of working endless hours for a meager salary. Earning only S$1,700 a month while clocking in a grueling 13.5 hours daily, she revealed the mental and physical toll her job has taken on her well-being.

In her Reddit post on the r/askSingapore forum, the young worker explained her move to Singapore was motivated by the desire to save money for her university education in Malaysia. However, it took just two weeks on the job for her to realize the exhausting responsibilities piled upon her. With no formal job title, she described herself as the go-to employee for a multitude of tasks, including stocking shelves, cleaning, handling customer service, and managing inventory.

What exacerbates her plight is her employer’s ownership of two separate stores. Whenever there is a staffing shortage at the other location, she is compelled to forfeit her days off to fill in, leaving her little to no respite.

Alarmingly, the worker pointed out her employer's blatant disregard for labor laws, revealing that she receives an inadequate SGD 5 per hour for overtime despite being required to work far beyond the standard limits. “I checked the Ministry of Manpower (MoM) website, and it seems like some of the practices here might be illegal, but when I confronted my employer, he brushed it off, saying ‘Others are the same,’” she recounted.

In a climate where many expats find themselves in precarious situations, she took to Reddit to seek guidance on whether her experiences were commonplace in the market industry or if she should take action against the conditions she faces. “I’m considering negotiating for better working conditions or seeking other job opportunities, which may delay my savings goals,” she admitted, expressing her frustration with the overwhelming circumstances surrounding her.

Supporting her plight, numerous Reddit users empathized with her situation and highlighted the violation of her basic worker rights. Several responses urged her to document her working hours and job duties to prepare for a potential report to the Ministry of Manpower, noting that the lack of a formal contract and inadequate compensation should not be overlooked.

Those familiar with the industry informed her that entry-level workers in Singapore typically earn between S$2,200 and S$2,400, emphasizing the unfairness of her pay. “You absolutely deserve better compensation,” one commenter stated, highlighting the stark contrast between her experience and the average conditions faced by other workers.

Importantly, foreign workers in Singapore are protected by labor laws that stipulate a maximum of 8 hours of work per day and 44 hours per week. Employers are also required to provide workers with at least one rest day per week, with compensation laws in place for required work during those days.

With cries for justice growing louder, this case opens up a necessary conversation about the treatment of migrant workers and the importance of enforcing labor rights to ensure fair treatment for all. Moving forward, the young worker's experience serves as a reminder of the pressing need for proper labor regulations and protections, particularly in a thriving economy like Singapore.

As the debate continues, we can only hope that stories like hers inspire change and lead to better working conditions for all workers in the region.