Ms Chen Liping, who runs the stall selling noodles, also opted not to rent the space. Since she can only leave items there temporarily, she instructs delivery drivers to leave food items in her stall instead.
“Other than that, I just put this chair here so I can rest in the afternoons, then I can fold it and keep it in my stall when I don’t need it,” she added.
FREE MEALS
In his latest post on Tuesday, Mr Seetoh reiterated that the hawkers are contractually obligated to offer 60 free, unsubsidised charity meals per month.
“It may not be enforced, but they are at the mercy and grace of the operators. It’s not stated that no punishment (is) meted if they fail to do so,” he wrote.
Mr Ong had earlier replied to Mr Seetoh to confirm that stallholders at Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre would not be penalised for not providing free meals to low-income residents.
“There are no penalties if they do not or are unable to provide the meals,” he said on Monday, adding that the initiative, which was meant to encourage hawkers to “pay it forward”, has yet to commence.
When asked about the free meals that Mr Seetoh claimed were part of their contracts, the hawkers confirmed that these clauses were real.
Those CNA spoke to also highlighted that the free food scheme has not been implemented even though some of their three-year contracts were coming to an end. Canopy Hawkers Group’s Mr Tan also confirmed that the scheme has not started.
“If you’re here earning money from everyone every day, shouldn’t you give back to the community a bit? Two meals a day is manageable,” said Mr Ow, adding that he already gives free meals away to those who need them.
Hawkers were also aware of the clauses when they signed their leases, he stressed. “If you want to sign the contract, then you should follow it. Don’t sign the contract, then complain about it.”
Ms Pang agreed that many hawkers like herself are feeling the pinch from the rising prices of essentials and may worry about providing free meals.
Since the scheme has not been begun, hawkers who cannot afford to give away free meals do not need to do so, she added.
“But for me, if I can do it, I will just do it. If you can’t do it, I’m sure you can talk to the management and work something out,” she said, adding that she sometimes gives away free snacks to elderly, low-income customers.
The number of free meals has since been revised to 100 meals over their three-year contract, hawkers said. Mr Ong also clarified this point on Monday.
While she was unaware of the previous terms of 60 meals every two months, Ms Chen said that since last year, the scheme has involved providing 100 free meals over her three-year lease.
“Everyone here who signed the contract would know about it. When they signed it, they would have asked all their questions,” she added.
“If they choose you to run the stall and offer their terms, you only sign the contract if you accept the terms … It’s not like halfway through your contract, your business is not good, then you suddenly complain about the terms.”
The 53-year-old hawker considered 100 meals over three years a reasonable number, which is why she accepted the terms. “Whether business is good or bad, it’s our own problem.”
When asked if he had a response to hawkers who said they considered the free meal terms in their contract reasonable, Mr Seetoh reiterated to CNA: “Charity meals, if voluntary, should not be in the contract.”
He added that another tenant would dispute the claim that they are not charged to place baskets in the space behind their stalls.
