Why should we bear the burden of budget meals and app discounts?

Challenges faced by some hawkers in Singapore

- Cherie Lok

When Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre's management announced it would scrap clauses requiring hawkers to provide free meals for the needy at their own cost, the update was met with relief by hawkers. But many question why they continue to be called upon to provide budget meals and discounts to diners who pay using operator apps.

The Pay-it-Forward initiative by Canopy Hawkers Group, which manages the Socially-conscious Enterprise Hawker Centre (SEHC), initially required stallholders to contribute 100 free meals over three years.

It was criticised by veteran food critic K.F. Seetoh in an Aug 8 Facebook post that described it as "forced charity". Health Minister Ong Ye Kung - who oversees the ward where the hawker centre is located - waded into the debate on Aug 11, writing on Facebook that hawkers did not face penalties if they did not provide the meals.

However, copies of the contract shown to the media, including The Straits Times, indicated that hawkers could chalk up demerit points for failing to provide the meals. The management team later said on Aug 15 that it would not enforce the obligation in the future.

"Some stalls are not doing well, so it's better not to force them," says John (not his real name), a hawker in his 50s, who runs one of the 44 stalls there. Like many of the tenants ST spoke to, he declined to reveal his name for fear of repercussions from his operator.

Another hawker, who is also in his 50s, adds: "Doing charity is voluntary, not by force."

But many hawkers lament that they are still obliged to provide budget meals under $3.50 and pay for discounts given to diners using operator apps.

ABSORBING DISCOUNTS

A 2022 version of the contract seen by The Straits Times states that hawkers could face three demerit points and $30 in liquidated damages for "failure to use Bukit Canberra HC mobile apps for customers to place orders, make payment".