I refer to the article “Social media post sparks discussion on rising number of tissue paper sellers and begging in Bedok MRT” Station” (theonlinecitizen, Feb 23)
https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/……/social……/……
It states that “Momo said begging is illegal in Singapore, “It seems that locals who sell tissues have a pass, so it also depends on whether anyone reports them.”
A local Chinese media 8world News has since followed up on the issue and interviewed some of the tissue paper sellers outside the MRT station on Monday(20 February) at 9 am morning.
The reporter observed three tissue paper sellers: a young man, a man in a wheelchair with an amputated left leg, and an old lady with white hair.
Although some passersby contributed money to the sellers, none purchased their tissue packets.
Lee, a seller in the wheelchair, previously owned a coffee shop stall but had to undergo two surgeries due to a sudden vascular blockage.
One of the sellers, Lee, was previously a coffee shop owner but had to undergo two surgeries due to a sudden vascular blockage.
Despite his efforts, his condition did not improve, and he eventually had his leg amputated in 2021.
Lee, who is wheelchair-bound, has been selling tissues at the MRT station entrance for a year and has observed an increase in the number of sellers, with as many as seven at once during weekends.
Father accompanying his son before go to work, said his son with low IQ had no choice
The Chinese media reporter also learned that a father was there accompanying his son at a distance.
Mr Chong, the father, stated that his son, Chong Yikai, is unable to find a job due to his low intelligence.
The father said selling tissues is his son’s only option, as there are many jobs he cannot handle.
He added that his son does not earn much from selling tissues, but it provides him with something to do and a little pocket money to buy the things he likes.
Worried about his son, Mr Chong comes to see his son every morning before he starts work at the coffee shop in Kembangan at 11 a.m.
“He fell asleep once and his money was stolen, but that was an exception.
Usually, everyone is nice to him and doesn’t bully him.”
He also appealed to the public to understand their situation and not to bully his son or the other sellers, as it is not easy for them to make a living this way.
The father added that he had helped his son apply for a license, but it was not approved by the authorities.
Netizens urged MSF to approach these tissue sellers
Some netizens commented on 8World News‘s Facebook post, expressing their concern for the plight of these people and urging the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) or Social Service Offices to approach them and identify those who really need assistance.
Netizen Priscilla Law suggested that it would be better for social workers to approach the tissue sellers and help them to apply for government assistance.
“Most of them really don’t know how or where to apply.
Netizen Jessica Goh noted that many elderly people sell tissues at Boon Lay MRT station because they have no other choice and need to do so to survive.
“After all, government subsidies can only help so much.
They don’t steal or commit crimes; they earn a living on their own,” she added.
None of the sellers had sought assistance from relevant authorities, 8World News reported.
Under Destitute Persons Act 1989, begging is illegal in Singapore:
Any person being a habitual beggar found begging in a public place in a way that causes or is likely to cause annoyance to persons frequenting the place or otherwise creates a nuisance shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $3,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years.
The Street Hawking Scheme is a licensing mechanism put in place by the National Environment Agency (NEA) for tissue paper sellers.
It provides an annual license for a $120 fee to these sellers, allowing them to sell their products at fixed locations.
However, the scheme imposes restrictions on the tissue sellers, prohibiting them from selling their goods at places like void decks or near MRT stations.
These restrictions can have a significant impact on the earnings of the tissue sellers.
TOC also understands that these sellers do not wish to be bound to a specific location since human traffic flow would vary from day to day.
Consequently, many of them prefer to sell tissue paper illegally instead of applying for a license.
According to the information on the website of the MSF, the ministry encourages low-income families to apply for short-term or long-term community care programs, including the ComCare Long-Term Assistance and ComCare Short-To-Medium-Term Assistance.
The ComCare Short-To-Medium-Term Assistance provides assistance to low-income individuals and families who are temporarily unable to work or are looking for work for a period of time.
It also provides assistance to individuals and families who earn low incomes and need help with basic living expenses.
While ComCare Long-Term Assistance provides assistance to individuals who are permanently unable to work due to aging, illness, or disability, as well as to elderly individuals who have little or no income or family support.
Beneficiaries of the program can receive monthly financial assistance, medical expense assistance, and other types of support.
MSF disbursed $177 million in ComCare assistance in FY2021, a decrease from $236 million disbursed in FY2020, but higher than the annual average of around $136 million from FY2017 to 2019.
Around 45,000 households received ComCare assistance in FY2021, a drop of 3% compared to over 46,000 households assisted in FY2020 when Singapore was at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This works out to S$3,933 or an average of S$328 monthly per household.”
Comment:
Why is it the narrative may arguably, often seem to be better, by citing the “average” ($136 million) over a number of years
The fact is that even before the pandemic, in 2019 – more needy families needed more help, as indicated by the statistics – 19% increase in total payouts ($151 million), 6% increase in households, and 4% increase in beneficiaries, from FY2018 to FY2019.
$3,933 or an average of $328 monthly per household ($177 million divided by 45,000).
Of course, the monthly assistance may differ among different beneficiaries, for different periods of assistance.
Why not disclose the average and median assistance sums?
Also, why not make public, the criteria and how the amount of assistance is determined?
There may seemingly be, some areas that may be lacking, in transparency and accountability in Singapore.
As I understand that tissue sellers have to obtain a license and pay a fee – how many tissue sellers are there in Singapore?
By the way, what is the criteria for approving or rejecting an application for a “sell tissue” license?
