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Singaporean rejected by NTUC Fairprice supermarket twice for position of sales assistant[/h]Posted by
temasektimes on May 19, 2012
I worked at the NLB for 13 year. I was offered a golden handshake and an option to continue working for the library as an outsource staff. Outsource staff are being paid $24 per day. No benefits compared to working under NLB management where medical is also covered plus yearly bonus, performance bonus, night shift allowance etc)
My take home pay under NLB was $900 (even after I worked for 13 years) I decided not to work for outsource company as the salary package was terrible. I was jobless for three years. During that time, I tried going to different companies, mostly retail outlets, to work as sales assistant. Most of them wanted people to be able to speak mandarin. Went to CDC and so on. They referred me to retail outlets too. I was interviewed but no response.
I went to the NTUC supermarket opposite my house. They pasted job vacancy advertisement on their notice board. I applied for the position of sales assistant,( mainly to take care of arriving stock, arranging them on the shelves) I went to ask twice. Once around 2010 and 2011. But I was rejected. No reason given.
It was a painful three years, no job, basically doing freelance jobs with no CPF or any job security. It was until I followed my younger sister shopping and we stumbled upon a job vacancy at a British (owned by an arab) retail outlet. I applied for the job, we exchanged some meaningful conversations and followed by an interview, I got a part time job as a food stacker. Similar type of job at the library but with a higher pay and opportunities for commussion plus medical benefits and staff discount.
I am so disappointed with NTUC, they would not even consider me for anything. Considering that I live nearby, it was a good opportunity for me to work near my home. I am realistic as a low income worker. If I work nearby, it will at least offset transport fees to work. But NTUC did not want me at all. Not once but twice! I am glad to say that I am happy working for this company! It’s ok NTUC. Thank you for your bitter lesson.
LIZA
*The above was first posted as a comment on The Temasek Times.
