Survey shows that Singaporeans not joining the retail sector because of the low pay

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Lao niang remember last time, during my era hor, all my friends will go to Giordano lah, This Fashion lah, The Face Shop all these retail shops to look for jobs after they graduate one leh. Because work in retail sector like very cool mah. And like very easy job, can just stand around in the shop, still got aircon to blow some more.

retail

Have you noticed that nowadays, you don’t really see youngsters working in the retail sector anymore? Nowadays, they like rather go and become Grab drivers or become food delivery riders.

A recent survey conducted by Workers of Singapore had some interesting findings from the workers in the retail sector, which may be the reason why youngsters nowadays prefer not to work in the retail industry anymore.

Disclaimer ah, this one is really ask the retail workers themselves one ah, not hearsay, not my friend say, he say or she say one hor.

Cut long story short, here’s what the survey has found out:

1. Retail workers earn a monthly income of less than $2,300

According to the survey which was conducted with 361 retail workers, half of them said that their monthly income is less than $2,300 a month.

salary in retail

2. Advantages of working in the retail sector

When asked what the retail workers like about their jobs, 43% of the 361 retail workers said that there are a lot of retail jobs available in the industry – 东家不打,打西家 (just find another job elsewhere lor if not happy).

advantages of working in retail

40% also said that there are a lot of opportunities to learn skills when working in the retail industry, while 39% said it’s where their interest lies, and 38% like the retail industry because of the flexible working hours.

3. Disadvantages of working in the retail sector

When asked what they don’t like about their jobs, more than half (57%) of the respondents said that they dislike their jobs because of the long working hours.

48% of those surveyed also indicated that they didn’t like the shift work.

disadvantages of working in retail

43% indicated that the downsides of working in a retail job is also because the retail workers will kena abused by customers, while another 43% attributed their negative sentiments of working in a retail job to the low wages.

4. Give higher pay to attract more Singaporeans to join retail industry

When asked what these retail workers think is a good way to attract more Singaporeans to work in the retail industry, 74% of respondents said that higher pay is a huge factor in attracting more Singaporeans into the industry.

attracting to join retail

5. Progressive Wage Model should be extended to the retail industry

When asked if the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) should be also extended to the retail industry just like it did with the cleaning, security, and landscape sectors to help raise the salaries of low-wage workers by upgrading their skills and increasing their productivity, 62% of the respondent indicated that they think that retail workers would benefit from PWM too if it is extended to their industry.

progressive wage model in retail

In case you never follow the news, earlier this year Senior Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad announced that the retail workers can expect a progressive wage model coming to them soon.

Labour MP like Yeo Wan Ling jiejie is also pushing hard for the PWM to be extended to the retail sector.

https://www.facebook.com/hellowanling/posts/290333225989759

Once this PWM is implemented in the retail sector, retail workers like cashiers and salespeople in supermarkets, convenience stores, and fashion retail shops can also expect to see an increase in their salaries when they upgrade their skills and increase their productivity.

Maybe then, we will get to see more chio bus and yan daos taking up these retail jobs!

What do you think leh? Would you consider joining the retail industry if you can get a higher salary once the PWM kicks in for the retail sector?


If you’d like to contribute your story to us, drop us an email at editors@sureboh.sg and we’ll review it. We read each submission that comes to us within two weeks of receiving it.

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If you’d like to contribute your story to us, drop us an email at editors@sureboh.sg and we’ll review it. We read each submission that comes to us within two weeks of receiving it.

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