Fairness of a job in Singapore

last SG · 2008-04-22T18:26:11+00:00

we are all living in a fallen world, especially living in country like Singapore.No sense of security and belonging nowadays. Look at the benefits that a for...

Quick collapse SG

Dear All

On 11^th April 2008, my mum received a Termination letter (terminated with two weeks’ notice) from her F&B Company.

My mum, who is 55 years old and is in perfect health shape, has been working as a part time stall assistant in this F&B Company for close to 6 years.

She has been a faithfully worker who report for work without fail. This termination letter came as a shock and left her wondering why her service was terminated.

She is not guilty of serious misconduct, persistent un-punctuality or serious neglect of duty.

It is known that this F&B Company is going to hire foreign (China) workers due to salary concern.

My mum’s appointment letter dated 1^st September 2002 had this clause stating that “You are assured that there is a continuity of the period of employment.”

The F&B Company is in a healthy financial state, which have a few food court operations in Singapore and overseas. So why is it that the F&B Company terminated her?

Is it simply because the cost of hiring a foreigner is cheaper as compare to Singaporean?

Government is always encouraging more local senior citizen to contribute to working force but on the other hand, why some companies are retrenching or terminating older workers without any valid reason?

With only two weeks notice and my mum’s current age, she might not be able to find a job so soon. What if no company wants to hire her? Is my mum able to claim any damages from her F&B Company?

Especially nowadays, there are so many foreigners fighting jobs with Singaporeans, our living standard and expenses had also increased tremendously.

I can’t seem to understand why majority of local companies love to hire foreigners. Is it simply because the cost of hiring them is lower? Is there any fairer treatment for senior workers or any law that will protect them from preventing a company to terminate their employment without valid reason?

By the way, the Termination letter stated that her last day of work is 25 April (Fri) and so happen that Friday is her off day, is she still require to report for work on friday?

I just started out working and is unsure of Singapore labor law. Appreciate to anyone who is able to give comment and advise as what should my mum do.
Thank you.

BrUtUs SG

its all abt the $$$... tats y nowadays theres no loyalty to companies cos u jz cannot trust ur boss anymore cos they'll do anything for bigger paycheck... if ur mum dun feel hapi abt it complain to MOM for wrongly termination... as for u, tis is only the preview of a long road...

darknessfall SG

she is a part-timer only, which means, in her contract, it will be stated that they can terminate her given x number days notice.

If she feels unfair termination due to discrimination, pertaining to her gender, age, etc, she can seek to speak to the HR and ask for a good explaination. If she is still unhappy with the reason, then she can lodge a complain to MOM to ask them for direction.

The most common reply to terminate staffs, is cost-cutting and manpower reshuffling. You cannot challenge these excuses because sure lose.

Hello Kitty SG

off day no nit to go lah.

tell us which company.

we boycott.

Quick collapse SG

Dear BrUtUs, darknessfall and Hello Kitty

Thank you so much for your prompt reply and advise. Appreciate it a lot.

Actually my mum had went to MOM last Wednesday to find out what are the compensation that she will be entitled. But that malay lady officer told her that she won't get any compensation as her company had gave her 2 weeks notice. There is nothing my mum can do at all.

But for my personal view, why is it that MOM don't protect workers who were unfairly treated? Is there no way to fight against company who "happy happy" can terminate their employee and without any reason given?

Recently my mum looks worried and i am afraid that she might go into depression mode. Once she is jobless, she will be left alone at home.

The feeling of helplessness is so unbearable when there is nothing you can do to help your loved ones.

OH-FF SG

The concern is that this country is not a place you can retire and live frugally.

You work your entire life competing with constant competition to pay off Peanuts to people who keeps telling you, you need to work harder !

Sorry, you don't own any thing you cannot protect. The system will take care of you even after you are dead, your organs can be automatically donated.

FireIce SG

go see ur MP.

Gasfene SG

why dont you go out and work and support your mum?

Fatum SG

welcome to Singapore .....

bryanw SG

sometimes the elderly work to keep themselves occupied otherwise if they are alone at home and nothing much to do, they might think too much or feel useless in society.

Gasfene SG

welcome to Singapore .....

Foreignapore!

Lolarlolar SG

Your Mum should hv make a call b4 going MoM, they wont entertain most of cases, mostly only if the empolyer dun pay your salary den they will the the case..MoM itself is a failure in introducing more complex policies to curd with the current situations of foreign influx and locals unemployment situations.

To see our own pple jobless and foreign influx fully employed is v sad things...sorries to noe yr mum plight....just prey one day a good leader will appear from sky and save our people...

RedizAlertz SG

It's sad to say, goverment may encourage one action, but tat doesnt mean all will follow. Companies have their own gains to think abt, they r not doin charity. Tis is the harsh & cruel life in work force society where the slower, less competence get replaced by younger, faster & the more competence..most of all cheaper wages in rate. Wat do u think MOM can do? It happens everywhere in every companies.

Of cos, good news is, that there are still some companies who are show humanity in takin care of the less abled & the senior citizens, e.g MacDonald, KFC etc...If ur mum is not the onli bread winner in the family, she can always go for interview in those areas.

CannyOng SG

Post to stomp and make a big fuss of it.

baby hunter SG

Dear BrUtUs, darknessfall and Hello Kitty

Thank you so much for your prompt reply and advise. Appreciate it a lot.

Recently my mum looks worried and i am afraid that she might go into depression mode. Once she is jobless, she will be left alone at home.

The feeling of helplessness is so unbearable when there is nothing you can do to help your loved ones.

Protect our own nation workers?? you wait long long lor....they only keen of protect their own ass ...

if they will to seriously entertain every complaint, that mean they will hv more jobs to do. for sure they will tell u ntg much they can do....becos they dun wish to do.....

thr are many similar cases happen ard me, frens, relative....

none of them have win the case....

EarlNeo SG

The MOM dun care, cant even if they want coz law made is in favour of the company. Neither is there a effective worker union here in sg. Sg is a world of dog eat dog. either u keep upgrading or prepare to b left behind.

uraniugra SG

sadly this is the world we live in. by SG law, the employer did not really do anything wrong because all the employer needs to do is give advance notice of termination and that's it.

yes, the F&B company is likely converting to use cheaper foreign workers. there'll only be a case for damages when the employer has made representations assuring that they will not sack you forever.

Anyways, perhaps you can send her on holiday or tour? old people can relax and go holiday and be happy. Better off than working, i think.

Miss Tiny SG

Sadly, nothing is fair in this world, let alone Singapore.

That's why I hate FTs coming to Singapore to snatch our rice bowls.

EarlNeo SG

FT come is ok, but gov must put in a gd ratio of FT to local work force. Beside, when i was in uk, there is law to regulate influx of FT. Employer must explain why they get FT, it must either b for labour work or only when they cant find local to fill up that position. Unlike here in sg.... even my company is fill with 50% of FT. Some of this FT really cant make it.

BrUtUs SG

tats how f-up tis system is... go change it or do something abt it...