You know what’s inspiring?
I’ve completed my work today and just wanted to go back home to sleep when we receive countless messages about this issue. The messages just keep coming in and it just goes to show one thing: Singaporeans really care about our fellow Malaysian workers who commute to Singapore daily.
So I’m determined to pen this article to do justice for my fellow Malaysian friends as well, and to do my part for those Singaporeans who’ve been messaging us.
My boss’ instructions to force me to write this right now doesn’t affect my decision at all. Not at all, I promise.
Restaurant Chain in S’pore Allegedly Asks M’sia Workers to Find Housing or ‘Be Replaced’
Basically, it’s all about a letter by Creative Eateries, a major restaurant group that has these popular restaurant brands under its belt:
- Siam Kitchen
- Bangkok Jam
- Suki-Ya
- Patara Fine Thai Cuisine
- Talay Thai
- Kueh & Mee
- Eat at Taipei
- Typhoon Café
- Jun
- Rocku Takiniku
- Tajimaya Yakiniku
- Flamingdon
- Fremantle Seafood Market
- Hot Stones
- Barossa
- Vineyard at Hortpark
That’s a mouthful, isn’t it?
The company doesn’t just operate in Singapore: according to its website, it has outlets in Malaysia, Taiwan and Cambodia as well.
So what’s the letter about?
This:
Well its here pic.twitter.com/GOK4dSMPrs
— Vinod Naidu M. (@sainod) March 17, 2020
It’s a letter dated 16 March 2020—the exact date that the Malaysia PM announced the “lockdown”.
To summarise, here’s what’s written for the person who receives the letter—most probably someone lives in JB and commute to work in Singapore daily:
- The person is to “secure accommodation” in Singapore until at least the end of the year and to stop commuting between JB and Singapore daily
- The accommodation must be found by 31 March 2020
- If a border control stops the person from travelling to Singapore to work, the company can terminate his or her service immediately and cancel the work permit
- Any day that the person can’t make it to work would be considered as unpaid leave
- The person can resume the daily commute from JB to Singapore when the COVID-19 situation stabilizes and the company has given the approval
The person would have to inform the HR by tomorrow (20 March) if he or she agrees to stay in Singapore—if not, I quote, “the company will find your replacement immediately.”
Heck, even typing that sentence out reminds me of days when I have fun chit-chatting my Malaysian friends. I can almost hear them shouting, “几夠力一下!”
I wonder if an emotionless robot typed that letter, but I digress.
So, how true is this? Maybe a competitor is out to smear the reputation of Creative Eateries.
Well, it’s real.
“Letter Prepared Before Lockdown”
Mothership has sailed over to Creative Eateries to get answers, and let’s just say that it’s all up to your interpretation.
According to Mothership, the company has prepared that letter before the announcement of the lockdown and “by no means sent as a reaction to the Malaysia Lockdown which was announced late at night on the 16th of March.”
They added, “Our preemptive measures have always sought to protect the employment of our commuting Malaysian staff who as a result of being timely consulted by the company since early-February 2020, have since successfully transitioned to Singapore and are unaffected by Malaysia’s sudden National lockdown. Creative Eateries has also assisted these commuting staff find alternative accommodation in Singapore.”
I…also don’t know what talking them.
Maybe I’m just stupid so here’s the full statement:
Like many other F&B businesses, Creative Eateries has been impacted by Covid-19.
Despite the viral outbreak, the company has and will continue to take measures to protect its workforce.
To be clear, we have always engaged and consulted regularly with our employees prior to implementing any policies and the company has not made any decision to exit any of its employees since the outbreak. The letter you mentioned was prepared before the announcement of the Malaysia National Lockdown and it was by no means sent as a reaction to the Malaysia Lockdown which was announced late at night on the 16th of March.
Creative Eateries values all its staff and endeavours to exercise care and fairness in engaging its employees and to support them and their livelihood during these challenging economic times.
Lastly, our preemptive measures have always sought to protect the employment of our commuting Malaysian staff who as a result of being timely consulted by the company since early-February 2020, have since successfully transitioned to Singapore and are unaffected by Malaysia’s sudden National lockdown. Creative Eateries has also assisted these commuting staff find alternative accommodation in Singapore.
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And out of curiosity, I’ve to check out their Facebook Page to see if they’ve addressed this issue.
They did post something about COVID-19 four hours ago:
Yes, they’re thanking the employees for their hard work, and erm, you might want to check out the 4th paragraph.
Too small to read? Here, I write it out for you:
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We are keeping our fingers on the pulse of these changing times. Engaging our employees about their travel arrangements are (sic) one such example. We are glad to have the cooperation of all in meeting the evolving business needs.
Once again…
Reminds me of those days when my boss scolded me for two hours because I forgot to turn off the air-conditioner, and then telling me that “engaging with you is just so that you’d improve and eventually get a pay raise” after I cried out loud.
