Previously, the Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS) hit out at food delivery platforms, asking them to lower their commission for orders through their apps.
The high commissions, which range between 25 and 32 per cent, is unsustainable for hawkers.
RAS is asking for food delivery platforms to lower the commission to 12-15%, at least during the Covid-19 period and “possibly the long run”.
GrabFood immediately hit back at the criticisms by providing a breakdown on “who gets what” in a series of infographics.
Let’s just say that if you’re an F&B operator, don’t bet on them reducing commission fees for food delivery.
Well, guess what? It seems like we’re not the only ones to think so because now, hawkers on food delivery platforms will get a one-off grant from the government.
Hawkers Who Sign Up for Food Delivery Platforms to get 1-Time $500 Funding
The National Environment Agency (NEA) has announced on Saturday (18 Apr 2020) that hawkers who sign up to food delivery platforms will get a one-off $500 funding from them.
This scheme is meant for cooked food stallholders operating at:
- NEA-managed hawker centres
- NEA-appointed operators’ hawker centres
Any stall which “engage food delivery platforms or third-party logistics” to deliver their food between 7 Apr and 31 May will be eligible for the fund.
Stalls who have signed up before 7 Apr will also get the funding.
How To Apply
If you’re a stallholder, here’s how you can apply for the fund.
All you have to do is to submit documents of your agreement with the food delivery platform, together with proof of food delivery orders made between 7 Apr and 31 May to [email protected]
The moment your documents are verified, $500 will be credited directly to your bank account.
Trying To Help Hawker Centres’ Businesses Survive
With the ban on eating out and the government urging people to stay home, NEA hopes that the $500 will help these businesses with the onboarding costs, as well as other costs, of starting to engage in food delivery.
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For example, getting container boxes, commission to be paid per delivery to food platforms, sign up fee, etc.
Food delivery platforms have also been trying to waive costs for businesses who are delivering with them.
- Deliveroo said it would waive up to S$360 of onboarding fees, in addition to quickening the onboarding process for new sign-ups.
- foodpanda has also shortened its onboarding process and is waiving registration fees and commission fees for the first month for those who sign up between Apr 9 and May 4 and have one or two outlets.
- GrabFood is also waiving commission fees for self pick-up orders during the circuit breaker period.
Hawkers, You Are Not Alone
While it’s hard and tough now, just remember that all of Singapore is here for you.
Even NEA, which has been providing subsidy after subsidy, says they help this move will help the stallholders hold out longer:
“By encouraging hawkers to provide food delivery service… we hope that members of the public can continue to enjoy food from their favourite hawker stalls during this challenging period.”
I mean, people even created a Facebook group entirely devoted to supporting our hawkers in Singapore.
And don’t forget that you guys are our hope for getting a second UNESCO accreditation too.
