SINGAPORE: In a shocking revelation, a Malaysian woman employed at a mini-market in Singapore has taken to social media to express her frustration over her job conditions.

She claims to be working an exhausting 13.5 hours a day for a meager salary of S$1,700 a month.

Posting in the r/askSingapore Reddit forum, she shared that her decision to relocate to Singapore was driven by the need to save money for her university tuition in Malaysia. However, just two weeks into her employment, she has found herself feeling both mentally and physically drained due to the overwhelming workload imposed by her employer.

"My title is 'staff,' but I do almost everything at the store," she expressed. Her responsibilities include stocking and organizing shelves, cleaning, handling inventory, assisting customers, and performing cashier duties whenever required.

The situation worsens as she explained that her boss owns two stores. When staff from the other store take leave, she is compelled to forfeit her rest days to cover those shifts, making it nearly impossible to catch a break.

Adding to her woes, she highlighted the absence of a formal employment contract, which leaves her vulnerable. "My overtime pay amounts to only SGD 5 per hour, significantly less than the standard rate of 1.5 times," she noted. Living in her employer's house, she also has to pay S$100 monthly for water bills, pushing her financial burden further.

"I checked the Ministry of Manpower (MoM) website, and a lot of these practices might be illegal," she pointed out, noting her employer's dismissive attitude toward her concerns, as he purportedly said, "Other people are the same."

Worried about being exploited, the worker sought advice from the Reddit community on whether her conditions are typical in the industry or if she is being overly sensitive about her situation. "I’m contemplating if I should try negotiating my working conditions or search for a new job entirely, despite the potential delay in my savings plan," she confessed.

The overwhelming response from Redditors highlighted concern over her treatment. Many noted red flags, including the lack of a formal contract, excessive hours, and insufficient overtime compensation. "You are being exploited," one commenter asserted, advising her to document everything meticulously, from hours worked to assigned tasks, should she need to report her employer to the MoM or seek legal counsel.

Some Reddit users pointed out that many Malaysians in similar entry-level positions earn considerably more, ranging from S$2,200 to S$2,400, and even more for those with experience, emphasizing how her pay seems disproportionately low given her workload.

Concerns were raised about her employment status as well, with another user recommending she reach out to the MoM, cautioning that her employer's practices could be illegal, especially if she lacks a valid work pass.

According to Singapore’s labor laws, foreign workers are entitled to protections, including a maximum of 8 hours of work per day, 44 hours per week, and at least one rest day per week. Any extra hours should be compensated at a rate of 1.5 times their regular pay.

The recent experience shared by this Malaysian worker sheds light on the darker side of Singapore's job market, especially concerning vulnerable foreign workers. It raises vital questions about labor rights and enforcement in the country, urging a wider discussion on fair treatment and legal protections for all workers.