Mark Lee defends himself for employing PRC workers: Difficult to employ locals

February 8, 2010 by admin
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102 Comments on "Mark Lee defends himself for employing PRC workers: Difficult to employ locals"

dono on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 9:29 pm

ohoh,is it just me or is Mark digging a deeper hole for himself?

count on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 9:42 pm

There are workers willing to work but am priced out by cheaper lower grade imports who can come here for a few years, stays 5 in a rented room and save enough to go home after their stint here… only to be replaced by the next foreign worker willing to do the same… How can locals compete? There will always be someone willing to work for just a little less. There is no way for the locals to compete with these cheap imports who are only here for the short term and am willing to endure bad living environment.

PAP On The Way To Decline on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 9:44 pm

Mark Lee

It is just like you want to deliver a 20 foot container by using a 4 ton truck to do the job.

So many things you demand from your staffs but you want to pay them peanut.

I suppose you also pressure your existing staffs to reach your impossible sales target too.

Bosses are all the same. They want to make maximum profit with the least amount of expenditures

count on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 9:46 pm

Continue…

Their rewards after saving for a few years here is a better life and possibly even start some trade back home…. Contrast the plight of local workers, there’s no light at the end of this tunnel…. only way to level the playing field is to have a minimum wage. But the power that is am not willing to go that way…

count on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 9:47 pm

Has Mark Lee learn to count to 100 yet?

nojab on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 9:57 pm

as deep as his potmarked face

KennaSai on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 10:05 pm

Dear Mark,

How much do you pay your PRC workers?

If you were an unfortunate Singaporean employee with a family and living in Singapore, could you live on this salary? Please do not behave like the immoral PAP Ministers. These PAP Ministers want the highest salaries in the world and yet would deny the Singaporean low-wage earners their fair wages by allowing PRC workers to compete with them.

Singaporeans are not against you making money but please spare a thought for your fellow Singaporeans’ well-being.

We think an apology is in order and a promise not to adopt a discriminatory hiring policy would be appreciated.

And please don’t wisecrack anymore about buying a counting machine in order to pay your PRC workers in cash. It is bad taste and not very funny either.

Thank you.

BAH on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 10:10 pm

Most of our fast food chains like McD and KFC all hire locals. So I don’t see any problem F&B businessmen should face when hiring locals.

MP Mark on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 10:11 pm

Is Mark Lee running as a PAP candidate next election?

TrueBlueSG on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 10:14 pm

Mark Lee is running for MP is it? Sing same song as PAP.

Ex-Police Officer on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 10:18 pm

dono

Yes he will definitely be in trouble. Not from us the readers of TR. But from the long lines of Q which is going to form when all those unemployed Singapores start forming a bee line to take up his offer of “long hours and shifts”. He’ll be duly aware only then that it’s rubbish saying that it is difficult to employ Singaporeans.

Mark, why don’t you just say it straight in the face that it is cheaper to employ PRC people than Singaporeans. That way, at least we can say you’ve still got some honesty in you besides being driven by greed. Too many takes on “Money Not Enough” followed by a sequel has really made you crazy…for money.

Strategist on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 10:21 pm

Based on what Mark Lee said as reported “We cannot employ as many foreign workers as we like because there is a quota for local workers to be fulfilled….Local F&B bosses will understand how hard it is to employ Singapore workers.”, it seems that quota is more effective in getting more Singaporeans employed. If there is no such quota, Mark Lee might have employed all foreign workers.

Surely most employers will take an easy way out for economic reasons (costs) if there is no restriction for employing foreign workers.

Yamasam on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 10:33 pm

Well, if you are only willing to pay $800 per month, it is easy to understand why Singaporeans will not be too enthusiastic. Can anyone survive in this country with just $800 per month ?

If the bosses know PRCs are willing to take up the job for $800, would they offer more ? Of course they won’t. And since no Singaporeans will be eager to take up these jobs at such low salary, they will claim it is difficult to hire Singaporeans.

As long as they are cheap PRCs available, the salaries of F&B staffs will be depressed and will not attract Singaporeans.

Fever Guy on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 10:36 pm

This guy dont bother to even say SORRY for not trying harder to employ Singaporeans. Just push the blame to “local F&B bosses have difficulty to get locals” reasoning. This is no reasoning at all. One big fat excuse to justify higher profits at lowest cost possible. I dont feel sorry for him. I still maintain my stance that is STOP PATRONIZING OLDTOWN COFFEE.

Incredulous on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 10:39 pm

I’m very disappointed by the poor excuse from Mark Lee.

There is some truth that Singaporeans may shun the job, but why PRCs and not Malaysians? Malaysians are just as hard-working.

At least he should be truthful why he employs PRCs. It’s because he gets to pay them very low wages.

On top of that, he claims the PRCs wants their wages in cash. Why is the PRCs in his Old Town White Coffee chain so special, that they want their wages in cash? Or is he covering up the fact that its easier to manipulate the accounts if wages are paid in cash.

His comment “Local F&B bosses will understand how hard it is to employ Singapore workers”. Is he implying foreign F&B bosses find it easier to employ Singaporean workers? I don’t think its the nationality but rather the mindset of the local bosses. The truth of the matter is, local bosses tend to look at lowering Business costs as a means to increase profits. When they should be looking at Staff Welfare to boost morale which inevitably will increase productivity and company profits. If Botak Jones can employ Singaporeans, why can’t Mark Lee?

It is very hard to be objective in this matter when his explanations don’t square up with his actions.

krankie on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 10:39 pm

blame singaporeans again….

singapore on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 10:45 pm

mark lee is right.

too many stupid people like “dono” are unable to think logically. but that is just a fact of life we have to face daily.

if i was running his shop, i would hire foreigners as well as long as long as they speak basic english. cheaper, more hardworking and more pleasant attitude overall.

for upper management positions i would consider singaporeans since they have local knowledge which is needed for business strategy but i wont rule out foreigners as well.

when i see a local “ah soh” at the coffee shop, she screams at me and doesn’t even speak english.

when i see a china girl at the coffeeshop, she smiles at me and surpringsly can take my order in english. she has obviously taken pains to learn english. that is commendable. unlike the disgusting ah soh who has lived in singapore her whole life yet cannot string together a proper sentence in english. even if the china girl cant speak english well, her sincere smile and courteous greetings have already won me over.

if i could, i would replace all these old and useless and still arrogant ah sohs with china girls as well.

i agree with the govt’s “meritocracy” policy. well done sg govt on this one.

john on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 11:10 pm

he is not help Singaporean so we should stop helping him by not patronising his shops.

wpthenewdawn on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 11:10 pm

i think the more he tries to respond, the more he is shooting himself in the foot.

Jerome Au Kian Beng on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 11:10 pm

Why not TR focus on hirings of white collar workers instead ?
In my view, Mark Lee may be benefiting from the policies but i feel that coffee shop work is not easy work also.

So, while i do not like what Mark Lee has done, i feel that focussing on jobs singaporeans like to do like office work like egl. credit officer position etc which are not frontline sales /service jobs, 9 to 5 and 5 day jobs. You may get more rapport and support from singaporean readers. remember that furniture company hiring from JB ? Look at the positions advertised again. I think many of them are office jobs, non-frontline sales service jobs that singaporeans can easily do.

good effort though. Keep up the good work. No more coffee for me.

Alpha on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 11:13 pm

I work in a line that is ‘related’ to F and B. And i agreed, it is very difficult to hire singaporeans.

Sungaporean on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 11:18 pm

Before Mark start to say that he has problem in getting the local, please ask yourself whether you are paying them a decent salary & perks.

If not, just shut up. Boycott your shop will hit you hard in your pocket and that make you start thinking hard before you open your mouth to say that Singaporean are choosy.

Lennon on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 11:21 pm

Mark should find out if Ya Kun is able to employ locals why can’t he?

CoffeePrince on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 11:38 pm

food at old town sux lah. i dun boycott also wun eat it.

Fever Guy on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 11:42 pm

singapore,

You are right to say you are stupid and daft. I love to have an ah soh to serve me coffee even if she cant speak a word of English. At least malay and hokkien and chinese she can definitely speak one. If you are so China women siao go to china and be served by them. Why stay here to have coffee? Move you butt there. Ah soh screams at you, why not? I read what you have written and i felt like giving you a big many tight slap at your “china girls siao” face. If you still not awaken, go sign up at IMH and have your brains checked.

Tao Ya Pei-Mark Lee my 2 nuts if his right on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 11:59 pm

You dying for a blow job by this China girl, go get one in china or geylang.

If you own a couple of coffee shop, your wish to replace all with PRC.

But I only want cup of hot local brew coffee in the morning reading my news paper and some food, with a bit our own culture and untie shouting to the kopi tao chew kopi o siew tia.

Oh the girl can smile at you all they want you pervert, they give you 1 in private for sure.

A mix of good PRC and local untie and uncle is good they need to work and make end meets you moron.

singapore on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 12:02 am

@Ex-Police Officer

you are an idiot or what?

of course mark lee is concerned about profits. the number one priority of all businesses is profit.

there are businesses who don’t pursue profits. they are called charities.

just like i would employ you to wash my toilet bowls but then since you are asking for 500 dollars and you are too dumb to wash it properly, i might as well get a maid from indonesia for the same amount. she can at least wash it properly.

dumb like ferk. go stand on your desk for 5 hours. useless pos.

TrueBlue on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 12:09 am

To Singapore on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 10:45 pm

Your comments tell us you are either a Foreign Trash yourself or a PAP stooge.

If we could, we would replace all useless discards like you with real local born Singaporeans !

Tao Ya Pei, fact on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 12:11 am

There no turning back for business, so capitalizing on cheaper labor is introduce encourage.

So all older person is useless and don’t speak English is a gonna.

Mark Lee right Singaporean should not go to his coffee shop or Saloon, the PRC will make his day.

My Ma give birth to me I thank her and Love her, how did Mark Lee came to the world hmm I dun know.

I m guessing the wrong door!

Tao Ya Pei, fact on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 12:18 am

Can you speak the local lang?

You arrogant bastard I ask do you speak Malay, Mandarin, hokkien and Tamil!

Can’t string together English, I really like to see you 1 Day and re arrange your Brian.

You just need a meal they need a living, if you want good service the local coffee shop wrong place for you.

blindman on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 12:21 am

His business will suffer for sure.. .now in Singapore its seems like the employer can deflate the wages as they please because there is no protection (i.e minimum wage)

What will our PAP govt think of next ? soon they will run out of options ….the cracks are begining to show …. lets exercise our vote !!

singapore on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 12:32 am

hello “Tao Ya Pei”

when i speak english to the coffeeshop ah soh she actually disses me and speaks chinese back. wtf is that?

ugly, poor, uneducated, cannot speak her nation’s first langauge and still unbelievably arrogant and vile.

who cares if they need a living? does the world owe them a living? no skills, no nothing and yet so arrogant. go ferk off and die early better. waste of space. the sooner they die the more beautiful our island is without their scarily ugly face. some of them have faces that look like they have been run over by a van multiple times

cant wait for all of them to die of stroke.

when i speak english to the china girl, she smiles, speaks some english back and take my order politely. good job. nice skin, good smile and very polite and gracious.

i love prc and philippino staff. philippino ones especially. you can speak english with them and they dont have crappy disgusting singlish like singaporeans.

i will definately visit mark lee’s coffee shop. you can be sure there will be good service without any singaporeans around!

boh sua tian on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 12:32 am

can i know where are his outlets? just to know where to avoid.

gary ong on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 12:34 am

is it related to old town coffee of ipoh?

bg yeo on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 12:36 am

dont worry. I only want Sg males as coolies for 2 years in NS and 20 years of reservists.

Happy ?

singapore on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 12:43 am

“Tao Ya Pei”

hokkien ruffian like you want to rearrange my brain? i doubt so.

try rearranging my tables waiter. and take those dirty plates off so there is space for me to eat. thank you.

here’s 2 dollars tip for you to buy 4d and dream of striking it big to save you from your miserable life.

Tao Ya Pei, fact on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 12:45 am

These arrogant cunt @ex police trash is those people need a the brain check!

And don’t speak other lang beside English.

Stand on the desk and pull your pans down a big cane waiting for you!

I will personally open up a can of whoop ass on you!

BOYCOTT MARK LEE N ALL BIZ HE IS INVOLVED IN on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 12:48 am

BOYCOTT MARK LEE N ALL BIZ HE IS INVOLVED IN.

ENOUGH SAID.

LIONS ROAR on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 1:01 am

I say it’s MOM’s fault,lah!
Our MOM prefers to be a surrogate “mom” to foreigners.
Singapore’s own sons and daugthers have been betrayed.

Tao Ya Pei, fact on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 1:17 am

singapore on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 12:32 am

You like what you like, but nevertheless comment on the those people who does not speak you standard English.

You can’t even understand dialect or other lang beside English, and call them ugly.

Tell you what you need a ICU holiday,come see me I will give 1 in SGH if they accept trash like you!

singapore on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 1:26 am

what the heck are you talking about “Tao Ya Pei”

of course i understand english and speak my country’s language well. i cant say the same for trash like you. obviously you lack an education.

sorry i never fight with idiots, they have got nothing to lose.

we are educated civilised law abbiding citizens who contribute to society.

your kind belong to the coffeeshops and prisons of singapore. filth.

Tao Ya Pei, fact on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 1:27 am

singapore on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 12:43 am

I would have read write better you, or have better education then you, and I m Hokkien yes.

Let warn you also majority here are hokkien.

I suggest you start to think what words you want to used against hiding behind the cyber space writing shit.

DrewBrees on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 1:32 am

mark lee is a disgrace to Sporeans .

Ex-Police Officer on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 1:46 am

Tao Ya Pei

Are you referring to me? What did I say to make you so angry? I was talking to “dono”..

Super Kumantong on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 2:38 am

Jobs will go to the person who are willing to accept Cheapest Pay and reasonable standard.

Super Kumantong on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 2:44 am

Hello guys, think if you want to buy the same coke.. One is at $0.80 and another same can of coke cost $8.00 ( think hotel), which one would you buy?

Just face the reality. Singaporeans want to have jobs? Tell the boss you willing to accept lower pay than the foreigners and double the time of working hours. If not go China look for Job.
Anyway, in China, guys in their late 20s n early 30s are already Tow-Kays.

Tao Ya Pei, fact on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 3:37 am

Singapore on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 12:43 am

Let be your under taker instead I will personal saw and build you pine wood box.

My work no cheap compress chits board though, for you free.

Look like you got the money, but stick your 2 cent up your rectum, i still can buy 20 big 30 small weekly on 4d.

Come clean my toilet I will coach you how it is done, don’t need English, I will slap it into your head, and if you got 1.

Tao Ya Pei, apology on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 3:47 am

@Ex-Police Officer, my apology, mistakenly write about.

Actually directed to that cunt that wrote shit about, non english speaking Ugly ah soh.

singapore on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 12:02 am

haha on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 5:12 am

he’s just a pappy.

sicktothebones on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 5:17 am

“We cannot employ as many foreign workers as we like..” dear Mark – why are you digging a deeper hole for yourself? repent. Why rub some more salt into Sporean’s wounds further by the above defiant statement?
SO how many more foreign workers would you like to employ in your whatever town coffeeshop – 100%??!!

Be Honest on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 6:55 am

Tell you what Ah Beng, I also find it very difficult to convince myself to patronise your chain of food outlets.

Be Honest on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 7:24 am

TrueBlueSG on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 10:14 pm

Mark Lee is running for MP is it? Sing same song as PAP.

If he runs he has to be super rich to stand a chance to win unless of course he can find some skirt to hide himself under in some GRCs.

This Ah Beng always gets himself into MediaCorp’s top ten what so getting elected should be a piece of cake right?
Ask him to tell you how much money he spend getting people to make all those calls to ensure he gets in. Not a bad investment actually if you are in that trade, get voted in is a almost sure win road to win advertisements and even shows. The Media Corp voting system is clearly flawed but who knows if it suits the winners they will say that its a good thing. For all you know our old man might even consider this after all he did said that the one man one vote system is also flawed.

Suggestion on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 7:47 am

Can TR interview Mark. If he were to employ sporean, what does he expect the policy to be to support employing sporean.

Disappointed on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 8:11 am

Mr. Mark Lee,

If you try hard enough, I’m sure you will be able to employ Singaporeans rather than cheap foreign workers. It may mean you will make lesser profits, but doesn’t it feels good that you are helping Singaporeans to survive? At least, you will not need to buy a cash counting machine as all Singaporeans have a bank account.

Marked Lee on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 8:17 am

I think Mark’s head has grown too big for his own good.

He has forgotten the old days when he went begging for a job.

Yes, boycott his shops, his shows and all he is involved in. Let him go back to his early poor days so that he will learn to be humble once more.

sigh on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 8:19 am

hmmm i tink we shldn’t juz target mark alone.. i tink this is the case in most biz whether issit F&B or retail shops.. u see.. rental increases due to ever increasing prices.. electricity is oso ever increasing with reasons which are also ever changing.. the prices of the stuff they sell cannot be too expensive as pple will choose other alternatives.. so the bottom line is profits..y not look at the main reason y businesses have no choice but to do this..
im actually quite appalled tat the fact tat some many ah tiongs are taking orders.. its quite frustrating some times when i have to order sprite as “xue bi”.. there are many wrongs about the policies implemented..
too bad… mark pls do not be so proud nxt time can.. pple no money liao still see news report tat u count cash.. n biz owners reading.. pls be more tactful n tink for the other singaporeans..

Psi on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 8:34 am

Always wondered how does the quota system works. (assuming 50:50)

If I declare my company has 10 employees, lets say quota is 50:50; I employed 5 foreigners, to cut cost, the other 5 positions meant for locals I will leave it permanently vacant.
When in fact I can run my company with just 5 persons.

Or the quota system said that amongst your employed personnel, 50:50 must be adhered? If one local leaves I have to fire a foreigner?

Please enlighten me. Cheers

OB marker on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 8:43 am

when the govt open door policy for foreign workers all trades, is the day they opened a pandora box!i’m a sporean, what makes me mad, when these ‘kopi-tiam’ towkays employed cheaper workers, food and drinks prices still go up!maybe it’s the rental hike, most likely it’s Greed!

Grim-Reaver on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 8:46 am

At the end of the day. its the auth’s fault. Since theres no minimum wage, most employers will race to the bottom in paying their staff.

We need to tackle the root of the problem. VOte for more PRO SINGAPOREAN voices.

Sinkie Boy on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 8:47 am

Singaporeans are just being pragmatic.When the wages in many F and B establishments are 5 to 6 pathetic dollars an hour and they make you work like a dog during the weekends, sometimes in very smoky environment,do you think one would take the job?
Paying 3rd world wages and urging us to work “better,CHEAPER and FASTER” smacks of pure exploitation with a capital E.
Unfortunately,we the citizens of Singapore are not being protected by the people we put in the position of power.
SAD indeed.

Iososay on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 8:59 am

I would encourage Mark Lee to go ahead and do his business his way.
Typical of some bitching Singaporeans, with their “dog in the manger” attitude.
Don’t want to do the work themselves and don’t want others to do the work also.
They are delusional if they think they can force employers anywhere in the world to pay them a few thousands SingDlrs a month to do the unskilled work.

The Sim on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 9:29 am

PSI, u still have to pay CPF for the 5 Ghost and they in turn have to pay income tax.

wat? on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 9:47 am

its not mark lee’s fault. its a business. how many of TR readers are business owners and are hiring workers for that job nature? we’d like to hear their opinions.

i’m not a business owner, but i can see how businesses is about maximizing profit. its not his fault. if he can’t get the workers he needs.. then wat? don’t hire anyone?

its really a policy problem. its flawed. and does not protect workers from unfair wages resulting in unfair competition.

randomnessinmind on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 10:17 am

Sigh….things will only change unless policy changes…and the F&B wages has always been low. The only way to make bosses pay more is something like minimum wages, other than that, I don’t see how such jobs are going to provide any higher salaries. Even the Locals working in Hotels and other related services are getting paid peanuts, these people who earns such low wages, are common.

You guys are like asking people to pay maids $1.5k a month. I still don’t see how it’s going to work, it’s never that simple.

Papsmear on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 10:29 am

Mark, how much are you paying your PRC workers ?

Hmmm..who are those SG employees in you payroll?..anyone related to you by chance ?

How about I pay for the advertiement to employ SG workers for you, 2 days advert ..but I must sit in the interviewand selection/employment process ?

You willing to take this challenge ?

By the way, JackNeo..better start to “dis-associate” from Mark b4 you get hit by us for “contradicting” your own stories from your own Movies.

Papsmear on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 10:32 am

The SIM,

Paying CPF for the 5 Ghost that are related to you is as good as “Savings” for the 5 luv ones from you.

Don’t be stupid…its happening everywhere.
This is a loop hole..that is hard to plug.

A Central employment Agency is the best way to go.

Yen on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 10:48 am

One word, “Boycott” F&B with more than 30% foreign staff.

Hmm on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 10:51 am

i agree with the rest. it so easy to blame singaporeans unwilling to work but dare he state out wat salary he is giving?

I dare him to give min 1.5k per worker and i am pretty sure locals will start pouring in to work for him. In australia, this is why a minimum wage is implemented. to stop these greedy bizman from using excuses like mark’s.

Singaporean on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 10:51 am

Hit hard at where it hurts. Boycott Mark Lee’s coffee shop for not employing native Singaporean.

count on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 11:01 am

i think the pay must be only one tenth of a peanut that’s why singaporeans are unable survive with that pay….

will4 on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 11:26 am

As a PR from the neighboring countries in SE Asia, I do kind of agree that it is difficult to hire locals to do this type of work such as F & B, cause many of them shun this kind of work.

streetsmart73 on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 11:32 am

hi there

1. to be fair to the potmarked, let him draw out his remuneration package for his employees, and judge whether it is alright with sinkies.
2. well, we must also consider he is running a biz and not some charity. so he must have the margin too.
3. honest, sinkies are screwed left, right and center.
4. sheep squeeze out of job in its own land, blah!

KickMarkAss on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 11:34 am

His coffee is not nice to start off with, it is over priced and service not good either.

Boycott? Don’t need la, I been there once long ago before this fiasco and never went back again.

Hypocrisy on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 11:39 am

“As the working hours are long and they need to work in shifts including during the weekends, many Singaporeans are unwilling to take up these positions.”

Is this his assumption? Fact or Fiction? How many Singaporeans he interviewed or ‘tried’ to recruit? He knows Singaporeans do not want this job?

Anyway, senseless explanation.. and Old Town food really sucks big-time.. those in Malaysia are way much better…

singapore on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 12:28 pm

Tao Ya Pei

“I would have read write better you, or have better education then you, and I m Hokkien yes.”

—————–

one look at your posts and i know you are uneducated and speak hokkien

i can smell you even over the internet.

i will call you up when i need someone to clean my toilet bowls son.

Concerned Citizen on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 12:29 pm

Somehow I have a suspicion that his interview is a badly scripted play like his show. I am not surprised that minders from SPH gave stock replies to public figures like Mark Lee on sensitive issues. Like many before had said the key issues of minimum wage and the uncontrolled influx of foreign workers make Singaporeans unattractive to employers. We may never know whether Mark Lee did tried but unable to hire locals or he is just using it as an excuse to maximise his profit margin by hiring readily available cheap labour. But the fact of his bragging about buying a cash counter for paying his foreign staff has already left an indelible impression that he is a profiteer and I will boycott Jack Neo and his business and already most of my friends and family are boycotting them. TR readers do know that Jack Neo is a co-owner of many of Mark Lee’s business and Jack Neo is an arch opportunist in the guise of a hero of the common man.

I love my country on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 12:38 pm

Looks like we have plenty of volunteers for a $5-6/ hr job at Old Town?

Or would u guys prefer to pay $3 for a cup of Kopi – O

Singaporeans for high level, well paying jobs, not janitors/ cleaners/ waiters/ etc.

What a Joke? on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 12:41 pm

As I recall, Mark has been hailed as an icon of fellow Singaporeans in ads, national events, etc.

Now we see him for what he really is. Not surprising that he also represents those who choose to associate themselves with him, either engaging him to compare or perform.

So Singaporeans, we have once again been taken for a ride. When the tyre hits the road, Mark came out screeching to a halt.

“Quick quick jam brake lah, singaporeans tak boleh!”

jiangbao on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 12:59 pm

I just pass his outlet at east coast the other day. Although I am not a coffee lover, there are lots of ppl still supporting him. Locals by the looks.

What to do. Unless someone write to the press where ciculation is higher, its does not affect him at all.

Shiro on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 1:01 pm

He is just digging a deeper grave for himself…and giving us a even better excuse to boycott his business….

in the first place, where did he get his findings? based on reading our dear MIW’s justification for FW? cos if he didn’t emply that much Singaporeans, how will he know that they will all complain?

you know, mark lee should stop giving excuse and face the fact that he is someone who value profit

Expand e Boycott on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 1:08 pm

The boycott should not be confined to Old Town Coffee.

Singaporeans let’s expand it to all entities with cheep foreigners.

One entity that stands out is GIANT SUPERMART. PRCs cashers who can’t speak a word of English, PRC supervisors and execs who are equally bad.

If Fairprice, Sheng Sheong can hire our fellow local citizens, why can’t GIANT, Mark or the others???

YOU'RE FIRED! on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 1:11 pm

PSI

The ratio is manitored from the employer’s monthly CPF returns (i.e. the total wage bills per individual employee list).

So ghost workers referred to the local component (in your example of 5 locals). The company pays the required monthly rates for CPF (both employer’s and the employee’s portion) for these 5 locals monthly to the CPF, BUT it does not pay the remaining portion due to the local employees because they do not physically exist in its payroll. So they complied with the ratio from government records. Unless there is a whistle blower, the authorities will never know because hard to conduct checks as too much manpower would be required, with close to a million companies (?) on its list.

Don’t worry PSI, you’re not fired !

Ex-Police Officer on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 1:14 pm

Tao Ya Pei

Apology accepted.

Have fun.

we need justice too on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 1:22 pm

how do you expect singaporeans to bring home low wage? for $4 or maybe $5? Have a heart. Locals here have mouth to feed, aging parents to nurse, growing up children and also the up rising groceries and other endless bills? But yet you want to compare with foreigner who could easily gain from the currency convertion to rmb?

Foreigners are here to make money. once they are done, they are happy to leave this expensive city. But what about us? The born singaporean local?

that is utterly disgusting/selfish comment that Mark could ever think of.

we need justice too on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 1:24 pm

oh yes.. and also maybe some have not known this yet…

Now the foreigners have the liberty to bring back 100% of their salary. No cpf dedection which also means no employer contribution.

what a country for them!

lim on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 1:54 pm

Some reasons why locals “shun” these jobs, and foreigners are willing..

- foreigners are here to work, so overtime, shift-work (with allowances, overtime pay) are definitely a plus to them. Locals have families, and need work-live balance. For foreigners, their families are not here, so they don’t have to “spend” time with their families..

- Low pay, ok with foreigners whose purpose basically is to remit the $ back to their families, locals need to support their families here in singapore, where things are not cheap..

I don’t think that singaporeans shun hard works, just that it does not make sense to work like an animal for meagre pay…

F9 on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 1:56 pm

抵制李国煌店！！！！！！！！

Boycott mark lee shop because he wants only prc and foreigners as customers.

Sinkapore on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 2:08 pm

“Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, who said recently that there will be no “turnaround” in the government’s policy on foreign workers and that their numbers may actually increase in the next few years.”

This statement really send me puzzling. I ask Sinkaporeans this:

1. WHO is actually running Sinkapore, the SM or the PM?

If its the SM, then why the need for a PM and vicer versa.

potMARK Lee on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 2:13 pm

Dont need to say so much, just dont go to his China-run Old Town.

avatar on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 2:20 pm

there should be minimun pay in every jobs

Ja on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 3:15 pm

Mark, this is NOT FUNNY!!! We are boycotting Old Town for good!!

Laurent Xavier on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 3:29 pm

come on everyone. Businesses seek to maximize profit and minimize costs. it is what it is. period. no amount of boycott or unhappiness is going to do change anything.

the issue does not lie with the businesses. the issue lies with the political apathy, fear and ignorance of the general population. like i mentioned in the past, the same 33 and 66% split will remain. it will take a few more cycles to see the change in our political system. watershed or not, this coming election maybe be a starting milestone.

wx on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 4:02 pm

dun just boycott Old Town White Coffee. boycott his Monsoon hair salon chains too! anyone who wanna pay singaporeans peanuts should bear the consequences.

sturmtruppen on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 4:33 pm

Correct business suppose to make money and profit…

But by how much profit? By what means as given by the law? by immigration law? by workers right to a decent life? by…

Perhaps a little thinking and re-thinking may help…

http://www.quotationspage.com/subjects/honesty/

Anyway i won’t patronize his chain of shops…he shown his true colors as a “singaporean”.

Older workers and retirees not good enough is it?

Sick to the soul.

sturmtruppen on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 4:37 pm

To Singapore,

It is the MM who is running the country…he is the real lion in charge…

All the rest…including the SM/PM/what have you not are just blaaaahhhh blaaaaaaah sheep or whatever animals the MM wants to think up next!

http://www.quotationspage.com/subjects/respect/

Seems some super pro LKY folks rather prefer to forego their self repect for power/money/and what next i can grab then being part of the human race…oh well…their kids and grandkids in the future will suffer will all these short term self serving craps at the expense of a long term viable future not only for them but also the rest of us in singapore.

Nuts!

minctoe on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 4:45 pm

guys. do you ever go to shopping malls nowadays? well if you really want to take action and boycott his chain then i think you jolly well dun go to shopping malls. there are shops infested with PRC and foreign workers working in shops everywhere even retail ones located below HDB void decks. R you telling me that they shld employ SGeans as well? Get real. I am getting the feeling that TR is just trying to spat PAP for the fun of it. Come on Get Real.

Well as to the excuse made by Mr. Lee, just let me tell you that in Japan most shops are attended by locals. Yes u r right. Oni Japanese works there and face the customers everyday. Rarely will you see a PRC or non-Japanese standing insider or outside a shop in Japan.

Now, Japanese are not cheap. They have the highest living std in Asia and so why can the shop owners afford the locals? Dun tell me Japanese can work long hours with sub std pay. WRONG. They think they are one and that’s why instead of looking at just profits, they lent a helping hand to their fellow countrymen. This is what SG is lacking.

We are the worst pple in Asia. Ask any foreigner nowadays and they will tell you SG is NOT a country but a city. So Get REAL. In a city where locals are being labelled as LAZY, STUPID, and demanding high salary, this is just too bad for both you and me.

Next solution, get the hell out of this city. Well 180K SGeans are outside and will not be glancing over their shoulders. When will it be you? Work hard for urself n NOT for this city.

Annie Lim on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 5:15 pm

That pock marked fuck faced ah beng! Full of same old shitty Pappie excuses that Singaporeans don’t want the jobs. Singaporeans no need to eat ah?

SeeWhoDie on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 5:25 pm

Continue to listen what this idiot mark lee is excusing himself.

We STOP Going to his foreign manned shop.

新加坡怒漢 on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 7:09 pm

NO SINGAPOREAN WANTS TO WORK FOR HIM?
HOW MUCH DID HE PAY THEM?

IF HE CAN’T GET SINGAPOREAN FOR HIS JOBS, THEN CLOSE SHOP.

HE SAID THAT THERE IS A QUOTA FOR EMPLOYING FOREIGNERS. HOW MANY SINGAPOREAN DID HE EMPLOY? OR ARE THEY “PHANTOM EMPLOYEES” WHICH ONLY USING THEIR NAMES ONLY SO THAT HE CAN EMPLOY MORE FOREIGNERS?????

ASK HIM TO GIVE STATISTICS AND ASK MINISTRY OF MANPOWER TO CHECK ON IT.

Talk Cock Like Sing Song! on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 9:06 pm

“Mark Lee should have explored other options of making his job offers more attractive to Singaporeans first before pinning the blame on them for being “choosy” as the PAP is wont to do.”

TR is simply adopting a talk cock like sing song attitude. Why not suggest your better ways as a reference toall those F&B owners who have problems recruiting locals?

Empty vessels makes the most noise!

Coo Coo Bird! on Wed, 10th Feb 2010 2:34 am

Well, indeed some “ah soh” also really cannot make it, I would replace all of them with foreign workers. But some are good ah soh also.

Was scolded and nagged by ah soh at kopitam coffeshop. cmi…
PRC one also got good and bad apple…haizz…i would say 80/20 for the ratio seem balance and fair.

Inspire Award on Wed, 10th Feb 2010 9:44 am