In his most recent social media post, KF Seetoh claimed that Socially-conscious Enterprise Hawker Centres (SEHC) contracts have become even “more egregious” against hawkers than before.
The post was prompted by Prime Minister (PM) Lawrence Wong’s recent video talking about hawker culture.
Since its release on 19 May, Mr Seetoh’s post has received considerable public attention, garnering over 860 likes and 160 comments.
Mr Seetoh began the post by calling PM Wong the “most powerful food influencer”.
The food critic and hawker advocate said PM Wong had the power to preserve the hawker culture depicted in the video.
However, he also wondered if the Prime Minister was fully aware of the situation on the ground.
Source: KF Seetoh on Facebook
KF Seetoh claimed that hawkers face “ridiculous” contractual rules set by National Environment Agency (NEA).
Having had a look at the new contracts offered to SEHC hawkers, he was shocked at the conditions.
“It’s as, or more egregious than before [sic],” he wrote.
Not only were the seven-day work weeks still intact, but he also alleges that the gas prices were “way higher” than those in other hawker centres.
Hawkers who broke the seven-day work week and took a day off without permission would face fines of S$100 per day, he added.
In addition to overbearing contractual obligations, Mr Seetoh also remarked on some of the negativity hawkers feel from the public.
“The public is also made to think hawkers owe them cheap food and feel entitled to it,” he wrote, also noting how demoralising it is.
Attached to the post, Mr Seetoh also shared texts elaborating that the government is currently paying management fees to hawker operators, as opposed to the other way around.
Source: KF Seetoh on Facebook
“This amount is actually the management fee the government pays to JW50 Hawker Heritage to run the centre,” the text said.
Also attached to the post is another text that appears to show a list of conditions that would make things more even for hawkers.
First is the abolishment of the social enterprise model, with “Hawker Spore” taking over all the centres.
Source: KF Seetoh on Facebook
Other conditions include a new rent model, one work permit per stall, the government paying for any budget or discount meals, central procurement of standard ingredients, and an amendment to the code of conduct over retail leasing so that landlords cannot impose additional terms on tenants.
Mr Seetoh also pointed out that these dire conditions are happening as impact from the energy crisis looms over Singapore.
He added that he hopes PM Wong’s “minders” will show him the tough conditions faced by hawkers.
The passionate food advocate called for more action, adding that the hawker videos would otherwise amount to little more than “mere political optics”.
Also read: Ong Ye Kung responds to KF Seetoh’s concerns about management of Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre
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Featured image adapted from KF Seetoh on Facebook and Facebook.