SINGAPORE: A hawker stall owner in Yishun has allegedly received a warning from the National Environment Agency (NEA) for not being physically present at his stall, despite managing operations through systems and staff.
The owner shared his frustration in a viral Facebook post on Tuesday (18 Feb), stating that his wife had no choice but to be at the stall to comply with NEA regulations. The post has since garnered over 1.3k shares and over 450 comments, reflecting strong public interest in the issue.
He claimed that NEA had warned her for violating the tenancy agreement, which requires stall owners to “personally manage” their business.
“In the tenancy agreement, it states owners must personally manage the stall, which is rightly so. However, now they are saying ‘personally’ means physically being in the stall.”
“They are saying we have to use our physicality to own a hawker stall. If we use brains, systems, and software to manage the stall instead of being there physically, we are violating the agreement,” he wrote.
He explained that since 2017, he and his wife had worked tirelessly in the stall, spending up to 18 hours daily on operations.
Over time, they implemented standard operating procedures (SOPs) and software systems, allowing staff to handle physical tasks while they focused on administration and business development.
However, NEA’s insistence on physical presence has now disrupted their workflow.
The issue has become even more pressing as his wife is 40 weeks pregnant.
“Even after she gives birth, she can still manage the shop by giving clear instructions to staff. But apparently, this is not allowed. She has to be physically at the stall or officially assign someone to pretend to manage it, even though she is the one running operations,” he wrote.
In protest, the hawker said his wife would now take daily photos at the stall as proof of her presence.
He also criticised the system, arguing that it discourages hawkers from expanding their businesses.
“If this is how they treat hawkers who have just tasted a little breathing space and success, I highly discourage Singaporeans and PRs from becoming hawkers. They want you to remain in the stall until you give up.”
“If you think of expanding or becoming a successful hawker, start somewhere else—public hawker centres are not meant for growth and success,” he wrote.
The nasi lemak ayam taliwang stall has been in the family for three generations, but the owner fears that his journey as a hawker might end with him.
TOC has reached out to NEA for comments regarding the allegations in the Facebook post and its policy on hawker presence but has not received a response till date.
Netizens Criticise NEA’s Rule on Hawker Presence
NEA’s alleged warning to the Yishun hawker has sparked criticism from netizens, with many questioning the policy’s fairness and practicality.
One user argued that as long as the stall belongs to the owner, how it is managed should not be the agency’s concern.
They emphasised that running a business smartly is better than being physically present for 18 hours a day.
Another commenter questioned whether this rule meant that stalls must close if the owner is on leave or medical leave, despite still having to pay rent.
They also asked, “What is the actual reason for this rule being approved in the first place?”
One self-identified third-generation hawker resonated with the stall owner’s frustrations, stating that the Hawkerpreneurship Programme was created to encourage entrepreneurship.
However, they argued that hawkers are now being penalised for scaling and systemising their businesses rather than being recognised for their innovation.
Another user strongly criticised the policy, questioning why hawkers who use technology to manage their business and have well-trained staff should still be required to be there in person.
Debate Over NEA’s Strict Interpretation of Hawker Rules
Some netizens analysed NEA’s policy, arguing that it enforces a strict and literal interpretation of physical presence, which could hinder business innovation.
While they acknowledged the need for accountability, they argued that requiring hawkers to be physically present at all times prevents them from leveraging technology to improve efficiency.
Others called for action, suggesting that the stall owner should formally challenge NEA’s stance.
According to NEA regulations, stallholders must personally operate their stalls and are not allowed to sublet them.
However, one commenter pointed out that the rules do not explicitly require stallholders to be physically present at all times—only that they cannot sublet their stalls.
They encouraged the hawker to write a formal letter to NEA’s director and copy their Member of Parliament (MP) to seek clarification.
One user defended the regulation, stating that hawker stall owners are expected to be hands-on in daily operations to ensure food quality, hygiene, and safety.
They argued that, unlike restaurant owners who have the flexibility to delegate tasks, hawkers operate on a smaller scale, making personal involvement more crucial.
Netizens Question Government’s Commitment to Hawker Industry
One user, however, questioned whether the government genuinely aims to preserve hawker culture or if it is merely paying lip service.
“I thought they wanted more hawkers and to keep the hawker culture alive? Or is this just talk?” they asked.
They expressed support for the Yishun hawker, arguing that entrepreneurs who implement efficient systems to manage their businesses should not be penalised.
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