Played out by an irresponsible employer - Part 3 (final part)

The next day, I called the manager again and he agreed to meet me at China Square. He was late for almost an hour. When he finally arrived, he said he will arrange the documents but I need to pay him SGD500. I was furious... and refuse to do so! Imagine! They promised to do this for me and if I had not checked, I might have become an illegal over-stayer! I might even go to jail for this... and yet he as the cheek to ask me for more money. Well, even if I wanted to pay, I don't have the money! Interestingly, when I was there, another more elderly lady of about 45 and a pretty younger lady of about 25 also came to meet him.

When I finally gave up and left, the elderly lady told me I was very lucky. She told me her sad story. She had worked for 3 months without pay. The younger lady, whom I later found out was a singer from China performing at Hot Pot City was not paid for six months! Only then did I realized indeed, how lucky I was. Both these ladies had to leave the country within seven days and they were almost sure they will not have the time or money to pursue this irresponsible employer! I know what they will do... they will just delay payment until time runs out and the two ladies have to leave. I thank God... that I was only owed one day in salary, although I had lost about SGD1,000 in coming over.

I wonder if the Singapore government knows of such errant employers, preying on the weakness of migrant workers who came here to earn an honest living? Here is a picture of me finally leaving Singapore again (circled in red), SGD1,000 poorer but counting my lucky stars all the same! I could not help wondering what happened to the 2 poor ladies!

Played out by an irresponsible employer - Part 1

Just before my first contract ended when I was working at Chai Chee Technopark, my boss told me that I had 7 days after my contract ended to leave Singapore. I was desperately trying to extend my contract but unfortunately, the government had raised the quota requirement for foreign workers and my boss did not have the numbers required to keep me.

You may be asking, why me and not someone else? Well, it just happened that I was the first contract to run out after the implementation of the new quota requirements (this was in May 2010). I used this seven days to search for jobs. I bought the papers everyday, and I went for 2 to 3 interviews a day. It was really, really tough trying to see so many potential employers in the few days that I had, especially when you do not have much money left and still have to take public transport here and there. Finally after all the hard work, I had two potential employers who said they will contact me. I told them that I had to leave the next day and that once I was back in China, I will send them my contact details.

When I was back in China, the company, SKYE IMPERIAL HOT POT CITY at China Square called me and said they need me. Am I mean to name them? Well, I waited till they are closed before putting up their name.Anyway, we agreed on terms and they asked me to book a flight down as soon as possible. I immediately had to borrow another RMB5,000 and with another about RMB4,000 which I had, I bought a ticket and made my way to Singapore...(to be cont'd!)

A day in the life of a Migrant Worker!

Recently, a friend told me that Singaporeans have been complaining that the government has allowed too many migrant workers into the country. While some of these are high level jobs (where real "talent" is needed from other countries), Singapore is still flooded with "foreign talent" filling out low level jobs which can be filled by local workers. Well, after working a few years in Singapore, I am not sure if they will really want such jobs, even if they are available to Singaporeans. Here is what my recent typical day is like when I work on an 11am to 11pm shift.

0700hrs - Wake up, Wash up... and the usual!
0730hrs - Read a book, check my emails
0800hrs - Prepare some breakfast and have a quick meal.
                Sometimes, walk downstairs to eat and buy
                newspapers
0830hrs - Read the papers
0900hrs - Dress up for work
0930hrs - Walk to the bus stop (Punggol) to take Bus 3
1030hrs - Arrive at Tampines. Sometimes arrive at
                1045hrs depending on traffic
1045hrs - Walk into shop, punch card, change into
                uniform, get read for work!
1100hrs - Work
1330hrs - Lunch (usually eat a bun)
1400hrs - Work
1930hrs - Dinner (usually eat a bun)
2000hrs - Work
2230hrs - Close shop, clean up the place, prepare for
                the next day
2300hrs - Leave the shop
2315hrs - Board a Bus to Punggol
0015hrs - Reach home, shower, rest
0100hrs - Sleep

Occasionally, especially on an earlier shift, my boss may request me to work an extra hour, especially when there is a shortage of manpower. Still want my job?

My first day at work in Singapore!

Today is my first day at work in Singapore and I am looking forward to it. My boss decided to put me up at their new Bread Junction branch in Punggol Drive. Yesterday, I decided to try to get there from my Bedok place and it took me almost 1.5 hours and about SGD3.15 in bus fare to get there. There are two shift of workers : 6.30am - 6.30pm and 10.30am -10.30pm and I am starting off taking the 10.30am shift. Punggol is a new housing estate, so it does not look as busy but I am sure it will become just like any busy housing estate with time to come. This morning, it was raining when I got up, so I decided to leave early so as not to be late for work. I arrived at 9am, one and a half hours before work, so I had time for a coffee and breakfast.

My boss had advised me to move to Punggol where they rented an apartment for some of the workers. This apartment is walking distance to work, so it will be more convenient. It will cost us SGD200 per month each for a room with 4 persons. Our lodging allowance is SGD100. I had originally thought it was SGD150 when I spoke to the girl over the phone but my boss said it had been reduced to SGD100. Well, I'm already here, so I will have to make do with it. "Beggars" cannot be choosers!

In any case, I will take a look at the place before I decide to take it. If not, I will have to look up my own place nearer to work. I've decided not to look at all the small negatives which can make us unhappy... instead I should focus on working hard and making some much needed money for the family! I've always had very good relationships with people be they customers, bosses, friends or just casual aquaintances so I am quite confident that it will all turn out well. I'll also try to look for a place of my own to see if I can find a better bargain. Who knows, Punggol is a new estate and I may be able to get a room for two for SGD400+ (or SGD200+ each)!

As I had mentioned earlier, events had moved so quickly recently I did not have time to update my work adventures from Tanjung Pagar and my move to Chai Chee etc... but I will continue updating these events as well as happenings at home in China once I settle down a little. Meanwhile, if you are ever in Punggol, come visit me!

I'm here!

Finally, after a long flight that lasted almost 12 hours including transit and delays, I am finally in Singapore. I started the day at 5am when my mum and I boarded a taxi to Shenyang airport. Got there at 7am and checked in before my mother left. It was hard for my mother to see that I have to leave again after a 2 months stay. And now, there is even a possibility my sister may come... which means she is going to miss both daughters! I could see the tears welling in her eyes as I consoled her and tell her that I have to earn some money for the family.

I finally boarded the plane at about 9.30am and got to Beijing at about noon. Following a 3hour transit which was further delayed another hour plus due to heavy rain, I finally boarded the plane at Beijing to Singapore at just past 4pm.

I finally arrived at 10.30pm at night and when I got out of the airport, it was 11.15pm. My agent who was suppose to pick me was again no where in sight. How is it that agents are always late? Or is this just part of the local culture?

I went to the local convenience store to get a phone card so that I can call him. It cost me RMB80+ or about SGD26. When I got through to him (the agent), all he can say was, "Oh you are here. I'll will come fetch you now". No apologies or remorse. Finally he arrived at about 30mins past midnight. By then, I almost collapse of starvation.

"Again he is late..."

Here is a picture of me taken at Bedok where I've decided to stay, just this morning while again waiting for the agent to come pick me up for a Medical check-up. Again, he is late...

I will update on my workplace once everything is firm...

Getting used to it!

After a few weeks, I had my stuff all settled. I bought my phone card that cost met about SGD26, my MRT card topped up with SGD50. It's a good thing I brought my old Nokia handphone from China with me and it worked well in Singapore. I had worried that it might not work and was afraid that I had to go buy another phone. Where am I going to get money from when I have not even got my first month's pay? And even if I do, I had promised to send back at least SGD700 every month so that my mother can help me settle my huge debt. I promised to pay back at least SGD500 every month and including interest, that alone is going to take me almost 2 years to clear. The thought of whether I had made the right decision to borrow money to come work in Singapore often keeps me awake at night.

However, I know I had to work at least 4 to 6 years to save enough to go home and start a small business. My first 2 years will be just clearing my debt. Hmm....

"I even got used to sleeping in a room with 8 people"

Anyway, I was getting used to working in Singapore. In fact, I was quite surprised that I see so many people from China here. Whenever I take a stroll in the evening out of my apartment, Icould hear people speaking mandarin and from their accent, I could tell very distinctly that they were from China. Chinese people speak very loudly, especially the men! Welcome home... ha ha!

I even got used to sleeping in a room with 8 people. I got used to sleeping with the lights on when some of my room mates came back late.... and I got used to hanging clothes all over the house. I don't think anyone's to blame for this untidiness. Try cramming 14 people into a 2 bedroom HDB apartment and you will know what I mean. A picture tells a thousand words!

A 12 hour work day is tough?

Leaving home from Joo Chiat at 6am, arriving at work at 7am and working till 7pm in the evening will probably sound like hell to many Singaporeans. At least that's the reaction I get when when customers come by and had small talk with me. Their eyes widen in amazement as many stammered, "What? You work 12 hours a day!" And many readers will probably think that many of these customers who came by to "small talk" with me are mostly guys... and most probably, they are just showing some sympathy. Well not really true too... there are many nice office girls who enjoy the small talk as well.

"... so working 12 hours in Singapore is nothing ..."

Back in China, or at least where I came from, we work 8-9 hours a day and including transport time, it can work out to almost 12 hours just the same. What's more, there are no off days... it's seven days a week for us! And the pay is just 800RMB or about SGD170 per month. I recall my days working in a boutique (actually it's not that long ago, just a few months before I came to Singapore in May 2008) when I had to wake up at 5am every day and make my way to work at 6am. I get to work between 7.30am to 8am depending on traffic as my home in Benxi to Tieling is quite far. Working hours was from 8am to 4pm where I will have to wait till about 5pm to catch the bus home. By the time I get home, it will be close to 7pm... so working 12 hours in Singapore is nothing to me. I even get half of Saturday and the whole Sunday off in Singapore... how nice. This is luxury! No wonder, Chinese are flocking to Singapore to work!

I'm sure Singapore must have been the same many years ago when it was just starting out. Your forefathers would have worked 12 hour days or more without complain. Well, when times get better, lets not forget the days when our forefathers strive to give us a better life!

Someone made my day!

I got up really early on my third day in Singapore, just to make sure I was not late and I did not have to wait in line for the bathrooms. My colleague got up at about the same time and were both ready by about 5.30am. I understand the bus journey will take about an hour, so we made our way to work early.

I was hard at work as usual... the first thing I had to do every morning was make coffee and then cut fruits. Customers normally start to stream in just after 8am for their breakfast. However, I was to busy concentrating on learning new phrases my colleague taught me that I did not really noticed what was happening around me!

Singaporeans are a friendly lot, aren't they? They will always make some small talk like, "Oh you are new here today?" or even a simple "你好！". It's such a refreshing change from my hometown. Sure people are nice when you know them at home but not when you are a stranger. They normally ignore you... or maybe they are just busy making ends meet?

So what made my day today? Well, someone came by and said I looked like "Gong Li"! Ha ha... how I wish! But nevertheless, I appreciated the nice gesture and it certainly made my day a little brighter!

When you are that far from home, it does not take much to make your day. Every little nice gesture counts, even when it's just pure flattery! Otherwise, returning home to room packed with eight people and having to queue to use the bathroom isn't much fun anymore. Thank you... whoever you are... for making my day!

Here is a picture of me and one of Gong Li... guess who's who? Ha Ha, I won't even dare to compare myself to a Diva, but what's stopping me from having some fun, right? The picture on the top left was taken when some friends and I visited the Hard Rock Cafe. We could not even afford to eat there but I could not resist putting on this nice top hat, just in the name of vanity!

My new job!

Right after the doctor's appointment and after the necessary documentations were settled, he told me he will send me to my new workplace and I will have to start working that same day. It was almost 3pm!

After about 20mins of driving, we arrived at Raeburn Park, Tanjong Pagar. We drove past a rather run down train station and straight into a modern industrial building. My first impression was that Singapore is very nice and clean. That was a positive start!

Once we arrived, he parked his van and took me to the canteen to meet my "colleagues" which comprised 3 Singaporean workers and 2 Chinese Workers.... I was introduced to them and my boss, who was a Singaporean. He sat me down and explained to me my job. My job was to take care of the drinks while one of my Chinese colleagues will handle the fruits. Another Chinese colleague was attending to what I was later to learn as a "Niang Dou Fu" stall, although I have no idea what that was.

Working hours was 7am to 7pm with half days on Saturday and off on Sunday! Wow, off on Sunday. In China, we work seven days a week! Or at least I worked seven days a week in a boutique!

I was handed two company "T-shirts" and an apron and will have to wear these every day, starting from now. I immediately went to change and started work. We have to wash these and keep these clean on our own. One of my Chinese colleagues taught me how to make the different coffee and I learnt some local terms like "Teh O" and "Teh O Kosong".... rather confusing at first but my colleague was rather patient and reassured me that I will get the hang of it in a few days. I was glad she was patient and nice to me and especially happy that the first few people I met were all nice.

"... I even had time to read a little newspaper!"

While I was absorbing all these new terms, time flew and before I knew it, it was time 6.30pm and time to start getting ready to go home. My first day was quite a nice experience, I even had time to read a little newspaper! This colleague was staying in the same place as me (although I did not see her the night before) and offered to take me home.

On the way home, she gave me more tips on working in Singapore. She told me that later in the evening, she will take me to buy a phone card and settle other issues like change money etc... So sweet of her! While I felt like a fish out of water in Singapore, little nice gestures like these go a long way to making me feel at home!

A familar sign...

After 2 hours, I was so dead tired, hungry and frightened that I actually fell asleep until someone came right in front of me holding a piece of paper with my name on it. He tapped me on my shoulders and asked me, "Are you Li Jing?".

"Yes", I answered, still a bit teary eyed
"OK Good, follow me!". No emotions, no apology for being 2+hours late...

I wanted to ask him why he was late but I felt this wasn't the most appropriate moment. Afterall, I was also glad that someone finally came. I'd rather he be late than I be stranded.

"Are you my Agent?"
"No, I work for them". He was obviously in no mood to talk as it was already close to midnight. I bet he was longing for home too.

"Where are you taking me to?"
"To your accomodation"
"Where is this?"
"Joo Chiat" although I haven't the faintest idea where that was.

After about 15 mins in the car, I dozed off again... until I heard the car stopped and nudge me.
"Follow me"

He opened the car boot and unloaded my suitcase and handcarry bag... but did not help me with them. I had to pull them across the rocky path. My room was on the third floor and there were no elevator, so I had to pull up my luggage. With my tummy grumbling and growling, I stopped at the second flight of steps and finally gave in.

"Can you help me with this?"

He reluctantly walked the few steps down to help me with my luggage.
When we reached the third storey, he opened it with a key. There were still 3 bare bodied men playing cards and drinking beer in hall. Peanut shells were strewn all over the floor. They looked up but did not speak a word. The place looked kind of untidy but he motioned me to the second room where he again turned on the lights. Someone stirred and I could see that there were 4 double decker beds (capable of sleeping eight people), and 5 girls were already asleep. She showed me to my bunk which was the lower one (thank goodness, I did not think that I had the strength to climb to the higher one!). But I almost cried... we are poor and our accommodations are not that clean in China but I've never slept in a room with 8 others! Anyway, all I wanted was to get some sleep.

Once we were done with the bunk, he showed me where the toilets and kitchen were. The floor was rather filthy and sticky on my bare feet.

He told me that he will be back to get me the next morning and pass the set of keys he used to me. I had to go for a medical check-up and finalize some other documents. That night was the worst night of my life. I was completely lost. I did not even dare to shower and went to rest after changing to a T-shirt. I sobbed myself to sleep that night!

Finally in Singapore!

After a long 8 hours on the plane including a one hour transit in Guangzhou, I was totally exhausted. It's my first time taking a plane and I wasn't sure what and what not to do. I was sitting by the window which offered me a fantastic view as we left Shenyang... and it was my first time seeing my homeland from such a high altitude. I immediately tried to recognize the various places and looked for my home but to no avail.

While having a window seat has its privileges, I felt totally boxed in as two other Chinese men sat next to me. They tried to make small conversation but I was just too confused, exhausted and depressed to entertain them. They were migrant workers too, back for a short break before heading back to Singapore to work. Sometime during the flight, I wanted to go to the toilet but was afraid to ask the men to excuse me as I was afraid of starting the small talk all over again. I just wanted to go to the lavatory and come back to sleep. I was dead tired.

When the plane landed in Singapore, a wave of fear suddenly spread through me and cold sweat started pouring down my forehead and neck. It's my first time in a foreign land and I'm not sure what to expect. Instinctively, I looked around for that lady in black who helped me and saw her some distance in front. As the seat belt sign went off, passengers started standing up and taking their hand luggage while I was still stuck at my window seat waiting for the two men to move. I was excited and worried that the "lady-in-black", whom I intend to follow will alight before I do... and I will lose sight of her. I squeezed my way out to the annoyance of some of the passengers. I also tried to recognize a few passengers so that I can follow them should I lose the "lady-in-black".

Finally, we got through customs and was at the luggage bay. My luggage was one of the last to come out which  made me even more nervous as I wondered what to do should I lose my luggage. As I followed some passengers out of the gate, I kept my eyes opened for the representative agent from Singapore who was suppose to pick me. I do not recognize them but was looking for a signboard... I saw none! More cold sweat! What next?

I hovered around the gate waiting to see a familiar sign, hopefully one with my name on it but there were none. I was tired, sleepy, hungry, sweaty... all rolled into one... and possibly smelly too after that long, sweaty flight. Finally I gave up and decided to take a seat near the gate. As I sat down, the first big tears began to roll down my cheeks... images of home flash through my mind... my chickens, my donkey, the beautiful sunrise and sunsets, my mother...

Singapore!

The agent called to say that everything has been settled about a week later and I have to leave the following week. These two weeks were the fastest two weeks of my life. Now I'm really unsure... unsure about leaving my parents, friends, my sister and brothers and a place I've grown to call home. Butterflies churned my little tummy and I could not eat and sleep. Anxiety got the better of me... afterall, I'd never taken a plane before. In fact, I've not even seen the airport at Shenyang.

The day finally came and I was to meet the agent at the Shenyang Airport early in the morning. My parents were as anxious as I was, and got up really early to prepare breakfast... my last for the next two years at home. I could sense the tension and anxiety as I noticed my mum's eyes were perpetually wet. My dad was particularly quiet. As we had breakfast of home made dumplings, my dad finally broke the silence with his wavering voice. He told me to take care and be particularly careful in a foreign country. My mum finally broke down and cried, even though she had supported my desire to work in Singapore. I ate barely two dumplings as my churning tummy did not seem to like any food in it.

Finally we walked together as a family outside as we had booked a local taxi to take us to the airport. My sister and brother will be coming with me and helping me with my luggage. My tummy was churning even harder. Tears filled my eyes and the first big drop fell like the rain, even though I had wanted to appear strong. I hugged my mum and my dad. My dad pressed something into my hand... some money he had saved up and told me to keep it with me just in case (I was later to find out that he had given me another 1,000RMB, his savings! What a dad!). He knew I did not have much. In fact, I was going to Singapore with barely 500RMB in my pocket.I had taken the agent's word that lodging will be provided and I will start work within a few days of arriving in Singapore. My pay will be SGD800 a month!

The one hour plus to the airport felt like an eternity as I engaged in small talk with my sister and brother to keep sad thoughts out of my mind. I loved my sister and I promised her I will look for a job for her when I am in Singapore.

We got to the airport on time but the agent was late. But he finally arrived without so much as an apology as we had waited almost half an hour... not a long time but considering that my flight was coming up, half an hour felt like ages. My agent brought us to the check-in counter.

Finally the moment came to leave my sister and brother behind. I had to board. This was when I could not take and it virtually broke down and cried. I'd never left home for more than 2 weeks even when working in Shenyang and now I'm going to be away for 2 years. The thought just overwhelmed me. For the first time in my life, I saw tears in my brother's adult eyes as well!

Finally my agent ushered me into the boarding gate and I was all alone. I was lost and all alone. I was scared. I asked around and met a girl who was taking the same plane so kept close to her. Thinking back, while she had been helpful, she must have thought I was quite annoying... keeping close to her, when I don't even know her. Once when she got up to go to the toilet, I just went with her... hmmm!

Follow my star...

After a week, I still wasn't sure if I did the right thing. After all, I feel quite comfortable in my hometown, where I have friends and I am familiar with everything. My stomach churns when I keep thinking of what I got myself into.

A week later, the agent called and said that there is a job working in a cafeteria and asked if I wanted the job. I went down to meet him and he told me about the job. There's promise of an initial pay of SGD800, with 13th month and bonus for good performance. After 3 months, I'd be eligible for a pay raise, although he did not say how much. Oh, and accommodation is provided!

I quickly turned the figures in my head. SGD800... wow, that's about 4,000RMB, more than 4 times of what I will be getting back home!

The agent's fee is a hefty 50,000RMB (almost SGD10,000)! That hurts! I asked why so much, and the agent said it covers return airfares, documentation etc... etc... I've never saved that much in my whole 26 years, so how am I going to come up with the money. The agent applied pressure... if I wanted the job, I have to pay in 2 days or he'll have to find someone else.

I never felt so pressurized! Stressed out! Cold sweat! He told me to go back and think about it and come back to him in two days. Before I left, he ran me through a little motivation talk again; I could pay back in 6months and come back with a big pile of savings after 2 years!

I've always wanted to run my own little stall selling clothes... my mind started to wander as I walked out into the cold morning breeze!

The Beginning...

I came out to work when I was 17 where I started work as a salesgirl in a small boutique in my hometown. I came from a farming family in the city of Benxi and earning money in farming was not easy. The weather was harsh and winter can be freezing cold. As such, I decided, against my mother's wishes, to stop school and start work.

Even as an employee, my salary was only 800RMB (approx. USD100) per month. It wasn't low by China's standard by I now know that it is very low compared to the more developed countries. Things were cheap back home. I could buy a blouse for 20RMB and have a meal for 3RMB.

It was only at the beginning of 2008 that a friend pulled me along to listen to an employment agency's sales talk in Benxi. They touted the benefits of working in Singapore, where we could earn as much as 10 times more than what we were earning back home. They were good sales people. They even help you calculate your return on investments showing you how you can recover your agent's fee in less than 6 months and thereafter it's all yours to keep. They showed you that after 2 years, you could come back with almost 50,000RMB (USD4,000) of savings to start your own business or do whatever you want with it. This sum of money will take me almost 14 years to save (...if I can save 300RMB every month which is not easy back home!).

It all sounded so rosy and many people fell for it. At the end of the talk, rows of people queue up to sign up. My friend and I were among the crowd who queued. We did not know what we were getting into.