Tray Return Ambassadors now spotted to promote table clearing

Singapore – A Tray Return Ambassador (TRA) is now a thing in Singapore; its bright red uniform was recently featured on social media.

“Warning, the lady in reds are coming to fine you S$300,” wrote one Anuwar Kodori on Facebook on Wednesday (Sept 1).

He attached a photo of a woman donning the red t-shirt with the title “Tray Return Ambassador” printed on the back.

The uniform is similar to the safe distancing ambassador but with a different job description.

A TRA is tasked to observe, encourage and remind diners at hawker centres to return their used cutlery and crockery once finished with their meals.

According to one of the latest listings for the position, the salary range of a TRA is between SS1,400 to S$2,200 per month.

The roles and responsibilities listed on the job posting include “improving the adoption rate of tray return habit by patrons” and “ensuring patrons or stallholders observe safe-distancing measures.”

Since Jun 1, 2021, diners are required to return their trays and clear their tables in hawker centres.

Meanwhile, enforcement action by TRAs began on Sept 1.

“Don’t be lazy. Clear the tables and trays after your meals,” added Mr Anuwar in his post.

First-time offenders will receive written warnings, while second-time offenders are given a composition fine of S$300.

Repeat offenders may face court fines.

The topic of tray return ambassadors was highlighted on social media in July, with netizens questioning why the job pays more than the people who clean the tables and clear trays.

“This salary can probably hire three elderly cleaners,” said a netizen on the Singapore subreddit.

Others wondered if the salary couldn’t be extended to the cleaners instead. “Why not give this job automatically to the uncle and aunties who were collecting the trays in the first place? What are they going to do now?” asked another netizen./TISG

Read related: Netizens slam ‘Tray return ambassador’ job that pays up to S$2,500; say “this salary can probably hire three elderly cleaners”

Netizens slam ‘Tray return ambassador’ job that pays up to S$2,500; say “this salary can probably hire three elderly cleaners”