F & B workers have long hours?
After writing “Alternative news in 1 day? (part 104) – F&B workers’ pay increase?” – SY Lee mentioned to me that workers in Food and Beverage (F & B) generally work long hours, with some not being able to count the mid-day rest hours as paid working hours, as well as there being quite a lot of part-time workers.
$5+ per hour pay?
SY Lee told me that at a recent Career Fair, a fast-food booth exhibitor said that the basic pay was only $5 plus per hour, but a lot of overtime pay.
National Library – my favourite public service provider
So, I went to the National Library to ask our ever helpful librarian to help to find hard copies of old Ministry of Manpower (MOM) labour reports. Even as the librarian attending – was keying in the request on her computer – the librarian beside her almost instantly appeared with 4 MOM reports.
Super service! Super efficiency!
F & B workers’ work hours increasing?
According to the labour market report – the average weekly total paid hours worked per employee in “Accomodation and Food Services” has been increasing.
It was 41.2, 41.6 and 42.1 hours in 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively. We believe this does not reflect the mid-day unpaid rest hours that may affect some workers. The average paid overtime hours has also been increasing to 1.3, 1.5 and 1.7 hours, respectively.
Security guards’ long working hours?
One of the sub-occupation groups with the highest weekly hours and overtime hours was Security and investigation – at 55.5 and 12.1 hours, respectively in 2012.
Highest turnover rate?
For labour turnover (average monthly resignation rate by industry and occupational group) – the highest main occupational group was Accomodation and Food Services – at 4.3% in 2012.
Does this mean that this main group’s resignation rate is the highest – because of the low pay and long working hours?
For sub-occupational groups – the second highest turnover was Security and Investigation – at 4.6%.
High vacancy rate – why?
With regard to job vacancy rate – the highest main occupational group was also Accomodation and Food Services – at 4.6%.
Does this mean that this main group has the most vacancies that locals may be reluctant to work – with as we understand it long hours, low pay and declining real pay growth in recent years.
The second highest sub-occupation group was Security and Investigation – at 5.1%.
Does this mean that this sub-group has the most vacancies that locals may be reluctant to work? Would you – with as we understand it – the basic and gross pay is about $750 and $1,800, respectively – working 12 hours a day 6 days a week?
Impact of foreign workers?
To what extent has our liberal foreign labour policies and huge influx of foreign workers in these 2 occupational groups – contributed to the woes of Singaporean workers in these sectors?
We welcome comments and feedback from those working in, or have family or friends working in these sectors.
SY Lee and Leong Sze Hian