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Stallholders at 2 hawker centres pledge to keep lid on prices
By Elizabeth Soh
Mr Lee stopping by a stall at Block 216, Bedok North Street 1 yesterday after launching a scheme whereby hawkers pledge to maintain their prices for six months yesterday. -- ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
GUARANTEED - $2 for a plate of dumpling noodles for the next six months.
Lee Yi Shyan persuaded lesser mortal to join Retail Price Wat
That was the pledge made yesterday by Cheng Ji Noodle House owner Tang Siew Keong, 60, who has been selling the item at that price for more than 10 years.
Along with 121 other stallholders at two hawker centres at Block 216 in Bedok North Street 1 and Block 207 in Kampong Chai Chee, he put up a price-watch label outside his stall to signify a commitment to keep prices constant despite rising costs of ingredients like oil and flour.
And more hawker stalls in other parts of Singapore, and possibly retail shops in HDB estates, are expected to follow suit.
The scheme was launched yesterday by Minister of State (Trade and Industry, and Manpower) Lee Yi Shyan, who is also the chairman of the Retail Price Watch Group (RPWG) and an MP for East Coast GRC. Both food centres are in his ward.
The RPWG was set up last month to monitor food prices and any profiteering by suppliers. Its members meet once a month to review the consumer price index for food.
Inflation here hit a two-year high in January.
Mr Lee said: 'We're trying to promote corporate social responsibility among business owners - that they can increase product offerings but should also keep prices low to cater to lower-income consumers.'
He added that the RPWG had been working with other food centres and merchant associations to join the scheme.
The chairmen of associations at the two food centres said it was not easy getting the scheme started as many hawkers had reservations. The two centres have 152 hawkers in total.
'We told them they could find cheaper raw materials by going to different markets,' said Mr Goh Ah Kee, chairman of Bedok North 216 Food Centre Association. 'In the end, they agreed, also because a lot of customers are old-timers and there is a strong community.'
Said Mr Richard Teo, chairman of Block 207 Food Centre Committee: 'We are also trying to look into other things, like negotiating with the National Environment Agency to keep our rents down.'
He added that stalls which did not pledge to keep prices constant had concerns, such as manpower costs, and were uncertain if they could hold prices.
Hawker Raymond Teo, 59, said he will keep prices low by buying in bulk. He has raised prices only once in the five years he has sold vegetarian food at Block 207. 'The more I buy, the bigger the discount from the supplier,' he said. 'Times change, we have to work around it.'
Patrons of both food centres said they were pleased with the pledges. 'A lot of the patrons are elderly retirees like my mother. I hope it lasts longer than six months,' said legal assistant Joycie Chua, 42. She also suggested that prices of essentials like rice, oil, sugar and salt be kept constant or exempt from goods and services tax (GST), so as to benefit families who cook meals to save money.
But Mr Lee said: 'We do not advocate doing away with GST or exempting basic essentials from GST - that is not the best way to intervene because it is not direct.
'More specific measures like Workfare, food vouchers and financial support for needy families channel limited dollars into maximum impact.'
By Elizabeth Soh
Mr Lee stopping by a stall at Block 216, Bedok North Street 1 yesterday after launching a scheme whereby hawkers pledge to maintain their prices for six months yesterday. -- ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
GUARANTEED - $2 for a plate of dumpling noodles for the next six months.
Lee Yi Shyan persuaded lesser mortal to join Retail Price Wat
That was the pledge made yesterday by Cheng Ji Noodle House owner Tang Siew Keong, 60, who has been selling the item at that price for more than 10 years.
Along with 121 other stallholders at two hawker centres at Block 216 in Bedok North Street 1 and Block 207 in Kampong Chai Chee, he put up a price-watch label outside his stall to signify a commitment to keep prices constant despite rising costs of ingredients like oil and flour.
And more hawker stalls in other parts of Singapore, and possibly retail shops in HDB estates, are expected to follow suit.
The scheme was launched yesterday by Minister of State (Trade and Industry, and Manpower) Lee Yi Shyan, who is also the chairman of the Retail Price Watch Group (RPWG) and an MP for East Coast GRC. Both food centres are in his ward.
The RPWG was set up last month to monitor food prices and any profiteering by suppliers. Its members meet once a month to review the consumer price index for food.
Inflation here hit a two-year high in January.
Mr Lee said: 'We're trying to promote corporate social responsibility among business owners - that they can increase product offerings but should also keep prices low to cater to lower-income consumers.'
He added that the RPWG had been working with other food centres and merchant associations to join the scheme.
The chairmen of associations at the two food centres said it was not easy getting the scheme started as many hawkers had reservations. The two centres have 152 hawkers in total.
'We told them they could find cheaper raw materials by going to different markets,' said Mr Goh Ah Kee, chairman of Bedok North 216 Food Centre Association. 'In the end, they agreed, also because a lot of customers are old-timers and there is a strong community.'
Said Mr Richard Teo, chairman of Block 207 Food Centre Committee: 'We are also trying to look into other things, like negotiating with the National Environment Agency to keep our rents down.'
He added that stalls which did not pledge to keep prices constant had concerns, such as manpower costs, and were uncertain if they could hold prices.
Hawker Raymond Teo, 59, said he will keep prices low by buying in bulk. He has raised prices only once in the five years he has sold vegetarian food at Block 207. 'The more I buy, the bigger the discount from the supplier,' he said. 'Times change, we have to work around it.'
Patrons of both food centres said they were pleased with the pledges. 'A lot of the patrons are elderly retirees like my mother. I hope it lasts longer than six months,' said legal assistant Joycie Chua, 42. She also suggested that prices of essentials like rice, oil, sugar and salt be kept constant or exempt from goods and services tax (GST), so as to benefit families who cook meals to save money.
But Mr Lee said: 'We do not advocate doing away with GST or exempting basic essentials from GST - that is not the best way to intervene because it is not direct.
'More specific measures like Workfare, food vouchers and financial support for needy families channel limited dollars into maximum impact.'
