SINGAPORE

A troubling report has surfaced regarding a Vietnamese restaurant owner in Singapore, infamous for imposing extreme financial penalties on her employees. According to a post that went viral on social media, the manager deducts S$100 from workers’ salaries for the slightest misstep, leading to widespread outrage.

The post, shared on the Reddit platform r/askSingapore, reveals insights from a friend of an affected worker, highlighting the harsh conditions facing mostly foreign employees at the chain of six restaurants owned by the boss, a Vietnamese-Singaporean. The friend described the environment as toxic, stating that many local workers function merely as 'shadow workers,' while the bulk of the staff are expatriates.

"One of the most shocking aspects of this situation is the long hours expected of workers. My friend, who hails from China, endured extensive shifts—12 hours a day, six days a week—with only two days off per month," he reported.

Not only are the hours grueling, but the penalties for mistakes are reportedly severe. "Imagine losing S$100 for not greeting a customer promptly or failing to answer a call. It’s outrageous," he added. According to the account, the boss believes that having employees acknowledge such deductions in writing exempts her from adhering to labor laws, which has raised significant concerns among the community.

The friend noted that this experience has left a detrimental impression of Singapore on his companion. "She feels disillusioned, seeing Singapore as a facade, far from the ideal place that many portray it to be," he expressed.

In response to the unfolding drama, Reddit users have rallied behind the worker, urging her friend to take the situation to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). "Deductions like these are illegal under Singapore's employment laws,” one user wrote. “These aren’t even legitimate mistakes, and the law mandates at least one day off per week for all employees."

While many pointed out the importance of reporting this abuse, some acknowledged the risks involved. One commenter cautioned, "Your friend must be prepared to stand as a witness during an investigation. Will she be willing to risk her job just for this?"

In Singapore, employers can only legally deduct salaries in specific circumstances outlined by MOM, like damages to company property or based on prior written consent from the employee. Deductions cannot exceed 50% of an employee's wage during any pay period unless it is the final paycheck.

This alarming situation has sparked a broader conversation about labor rights in Singapore, especially concerning the treatment of foreign workers who are often more vulnerable to exploitation. As calls for reform grow louder, many hope that this case will serve to protect employees from similar unfair labor practices in the future.