SafeEntry makcik on her feet all day at Pasir Ris hawker centre after ‘management removed seat’, Netizen say, “What the hell is this unfairness? She’s fasting…”

A photo of a SafeEntry employee on her feet at her station in Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre after the management reportedly took away her seat is circulating online, garnering criticisms among netizens.

“‘Management removed the seat,’ that’s what the makcik said when asked why is she standing all day,” wrote Facebook user Ryaan Hannafi on April 19.

“What the hell is this unfairness? She’s fasting, and the Management has the audacity to remove the seat,” the concerned netizen added.

With the post drawn more than 400 comments to date, a netizen commented that those who thought of removing the lady’s chair “must be very heartless”.

Others asked if anyone was in the area to check on the woman. “Can check if she’s still standing? If she is, I’m calling the police,” said Facebook user Seri Murni.

Another Facebook user, Jovene Lim, commented on a similar issue at the carpark area of the same hawker centre. “Taken on April 14. Was told their chairs were removed, and they have to stand throughout.”

In a separate post on Wednesday (April 20), the National Environment Agency (NEA) shed some light on the issue after investigating the Facebook post.

NEA explained that the woman is one of the safe management personnel engaged in performing Vaccination-Differentiated Safe Management Measures (VDS) checks at hawker centre entry points.

As Covid-19 safe management measures were eased beginning March 29, the temporary fencing at hawker centres and markets have since been removed to provide greater accessibility and convenience for stallholders and patrons.

NEA noted that VDS checks at entry points have ceased.

“Manned entry stations at hawker centres across Singapore have been progressively removed. Personnel involved are also in the process of being redeployed to perform other responsibilities within the hawker centre, such as reminding patrons to don their masks when not eating or drinking, as well as monitoring the cleanliness of the premises.”

NEA confirmed that personnel are not required to stand all day.

“We understand that the work can be tiring, as it requires staff to be on their feet. Therefore, they are put on shifts, and there are scheduled breaks to ensure that they get adequate rest. They have also been informed that they can take short breaks within the hawker centres should they feel tired.”

Regarding the woman’s case, NEA said she was aware that short breaks could be taken within the centre, in addition to scheduled breaks during her shift.

Meanwhile, netizens found such measures are not enough as it seems “unnecessary to make the staff stand at the entrance”.

Read a few of the comments on NEA’s post below: /TISG

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