“Pregnant hawker allegedly ‘forced’ to be physically present at stall under tenancy agreement, sends daily proof. A hawker couple running the Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang stall at 51 Yishun Avenue 11 has voiced their frustration over the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) tenancy agreement clause that states hawkers must ‘personally manage’ their stalls.”
The couple, who actively manages their business through a structured system, technology, and a team of staff, received a warning from NEA for allegedly violating the tenancy agreement. Mr. Noorman Mubarak recounted how his pregnant wife was compelled to stand at the stall to comply with NEA’s requirement, even though they have established efficient standard operating procedures and utilized technology to run the stall remotely.
Despite their efforts to adapt their management system for remote operation, NEA insisted on physical presence at the stall daily, posing a significant challenge for the couple. Mr. Mubarak highlighted the absurdity of the situation, stating that his wife could effectively run the business remotely even after giving birth. To comply with NEA’s rules, they resorted to documenting and sending daily photos of his wife’s presence at the stall, as mandated by the tenancy agreement.
Expressing his frustration, Mr. Mubarak, a third-generation hawker, declared that this experience would mark the end of his journey in the hawker trade, cautioning aspiring hawkers against the challenges faced by public hawker stalls. Netizens sympathized with the couple, criticizing the outdated and rigid rules imposed by authorities, which they claimed hinder the growth and success of hawker businesses.
In response to queries, NEA clarified that the policy requiring hawker stallholders to operate their stalls personally aims to prevent subletting, which could lead to increased rental and food prices. They emphasized that stallholders have the option to appoint a joint stall operator or nominee to manage the stall, offering support, including rental rebates in cases of temporary closure. NEA revealed that Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang stall is registered under Mrs. Noorman, and they had offered the couple the option to appoint a joint operator or stall nominee, which was declined.
Even as NEA remains committed to safeguarding hawker culture and supporting hawkers, the situation exemplifies the challenges faced by hawker businesses in balancing personal commitments with business operations amidst regulatory constraints.
