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On 9 Mar, 73-year-old hawker Mr Hong and his wife were spotted searching for employment at the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) job fair.
Mr Hong was the owner of Wu Xiang Shrimp Cake at Bukit Merah Central. He had worked in the hawker business for over 40 years before the stall shuttered permanently on 9 Jan.
The shuttering was announced on the day itself via Facebook post, where the stall thanked its customers for their many years of support. “It is with a heavy heart that we announce our retirement from the business after so many years of operation. This news may come as a surprise, and we apologise for any inconvenience it may cause you,” it read.
What was the reason for the closure and their presence at the MBS job fair? According to the elderly couple, it was due to sky-high rental issues. The cost of both rent and utilities reached over S$5,000 every month, which they found themselves struggling to pay.
While Mr Hong knows he may face physical challenges due to his age, his years of hawker expertise can help him endure the hardships of a new job. He has also stated that he is willing to take up any role that offers at least S$1,500 monthly.
However, he has acknowledged the difficulty of the hiring process and the skills required to take up a job in the hotel sector. Most of the available roles showcased in the MBS job fair require a background in skills he doesn’t possess such as digital communication and shift work. He also struggles with tech savviness, especially as he doesn’t own an email account or mobile phone.
Finding a job in the hotel industry isn’t exactly Mr and Mrs Hong’s first choice, but it would give them a better chance at financial stability, even with a part-time role. Furthermore, Mr Hong believes that remaining employed will provide them with a secondary source of income alongside their savings, and keep him active.
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