SINGAPORE: A veteran hawker couple has shut down their long-running stall at Bukit Merah Central, citing rising rental costs.
Ang Xinrong (洪新容, transliterated), a 76-year-old hawker, is now seeking employment, hoping to secure a more stable source of income in the hospitality industry.
On Sunday, 9 March, Ang attended the Marina Bay Sands annual job fair with his wife in search of work.
The couple, who reside in Tiong Bahru, had operated their Wu Xiang Shrimp Cake stall at Bukit Merah Central Block 164 coffee shop for over four decades.
However, as rental fees increased each time the coffee shop changed hands, their monthly expenses—including utilities—rose to over S$5,000.
This financial strain led them to retire from their business, effective 9 January, as announced on their Facebook page, “Bukit Merah Central Wu Xiang Shrimp Cake.”
Digital barriers and shift work pose challenges for elderly job seekers
According to Lianhe Zaobao, Ang expressed his willingness to take on any role despite his age, citing his decades of experience in the food and beverage industry.
However, he faced unexpected difficulties during the job fair.
“I am willing to try any job. Though I am not as physically strong as younger people, I have years of experience and can endure hardship,” he said.
Ang, who does not use a mobile phone or email, encountered challenges in the hiring process.
Many available positions required digital communication and shift work, which were unsuitable for his situation.
“I was asked for my email, but I don’t even use a mobile phone. Many positions require shift work, which is difficult for someone my age,” he shared.
The couple’s daily expenses are mainly covered by their savings, as their three children, all married, have their own families to support.
Despite financial stability, Ang believes that staying employed is essential for his well-being.
“Having a job keeps me active. If I stay idle, I might increase my risk of dementia,” he explained.
The Marina Bay Sands job fair offered over 1,200 positions across 25 departments, including roles such as executive chef, tea master, housekeeper, call centre specialist, technician, and chauffeur.
This marked an increase from the previous year’s 1,000 vacancies, according to Zaobao.
Another job seeker, a 65-year-old former mechanical engineer surnamed Tan, also attended the fair.
Having worked in the construction sector for over 30 years, he was drawn to the tourism industry’s growth and hoped to secure a role where he could mentor younger workers.
“I see that hotels need people to maintain air-conditioning, fire safety, and other systems. Young workers may have the energy, but they lack experience. I am willing to share my knowledge with them,” Tan stated.
Rise in senior workforce participation reflects shifting employment landscape
Singapore’s ageing workforce is a growing trend. The 2024 Labour Force Report revealed that the labour force participation rate among residents aged 65 to 69 rose from 41.2% in 2014 to 50.5% in 2024.
For those aged 70 to 74, the rate increased from 25.7% to 35% over the same period.
A spokesperson for Marina Bay Sands stated that the company’s ongoing US$1.75 billion (approximately S$2.33 billion) reinvestment project is progressing smoothly and is expected to create more job opportunities.
The soon-to-open Jin Ting Wan Cantonese restaurant (金蜓湾粤菜餐厅) is hiring for roles such as head chef, tea master, bartender, and cashier. Most positions at the job fair, except those in the casino, had no upper age limit, with a minimum requirement of 16 years old.
Lawmakers voice concerns over rising hawker rental costs and industry challenges
The issue of rising rental costs has been a persistent concern among hawkers in Singapore.
Earlier this year, on 26 February, a 76-year-old veteran hawker, Leo Shang De, closed his vegetarian food stall at 566 Serangoon Road after his rent allegedly tripled following a change in coffee shop ownership.
Leo and his wife had run Shang De Vegetarian for over a decade.
Before starting his business, he worked in Denmark with his brother and spent over 10 years in the food and beverage industry before returning to Singapore.
After the coffee shop changed ownership, he was reportedly informed that his rent would increase from S$930 to S$3,000, making it impossible to sustain his business.
“I am just running a small business, and I only earn enough to get by. I can’t afford such rent,” Leo told Shin Min Daily News.
Members of Parliament have repeatedly raised concerns over hawker stall rentals, highlighting the significant challenges faced by hawkers. These include high rents, manpower shortages, unfair competition, and the increasing corporatisation of coffee shops.
In response to these challenges, the Ministry of Manpower will collaborate with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Singapore National Employers Federation to establish a Tripartite Workgroup on Senior Employment focused on enhancing productivity and employability among older workers. This initiative aims to promote age-friendly jobs and workplaces across industries.
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