“Men often become what they believe themselves to be. If I believe I cannot
do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. But when I believe I can, then
I acquire the ability to do it even if I didn’t have it in the beginning.”
– Mahatma Gandhi –
– Mahatma Gandhi –
The tray return programme imitated by the National
Environment Agency (NEA) more than a year ago which is a good effort to promote
graciousness and civic mindedness has, regrettably, not been as successful as
it ought to be; and if you read the newspapers, you will understand why.
This programme took off the ground in November 2012
at nine hawker centres and was later expanded to include more hawker centres. It was reported in the Chinese press –Wanbao
that patrons did not want to return the trays after taking their meals because
they were concerned that the cleaners – many of whom are senior citizens, could
lose their jobs. Some of the cleaners
themselves are fearful of losing their jobs with the tray return programme that
has been implemented
Reading some of the press letters, it is true that
diners are reluctant to return the trays after finishing their meals. Bernie
Cheok, a forum writer to the Straits Times observed that years of appeals and
education have not managed to get diners to return their trays after their
meals. Cheok’s letter “Token fee can fix tray return problem” was published on
Thursday 21 September.
Whether it is an attitude problem or a valid concern
that cleaners will be out of work is difficult to say.
But I personally believe these
cleaners are not likely to lose their jobs – as firstly, not many people would
want to do such jobs even though it is a decent way to earn a living, and secondly,
these workers are in fact doing much more than just clearing trays. Whether in
food courts, fast food restaurants or markets, their other duties include clearing crockery at the
tray return points, and delivering these items to the dishwashing areas before
redistributing cleaned crockery and trays to the individual stalls. At some
fast food restaurants, I have seen cleaners even moping the floor whenever it
gets dirtied.
As we take our meals, let us spare a thought for the cleaners by asking them if they have had their breakfast, lunch or dinner. When we show respect to our hard-working cleaners, both parties gain confidence and feel good. I often chat with the cleaners and when we treat them well, you can bring a big smile on their faces as they respond with a big thank you. This is one way we can help those who help themselves.
*****
We definitely need to help those who help us. Even our foreign workers need to feel valued
and appreciated. Many of them come from
poor countries like India and Bangladesh. They leave their families behind to
earn better wages. It’s a big sacrifice and I am pretty sure some of
them could be grappling with separation anxiety – at least at the initial
stage. As I see them along construction
sites where they build our roads and MRT, I would say a few words to them. And
these are the ones, exhausted as they night be, will readily give up their
seats in the MRT to those who need it most.
I have benefitted from such thoughtful gestures.
*****
Foreign students who study here could also feel all
alone when they are separated from their loved ones. Some of them become
depressed due to isolation. Let us show a human face and help them cope if they
are troubled.
*****
Our maids provide an exceptional
service to our families. They toil from dawn into the late hours at night. Like the construction workers, they leave
their families behind to earn better wages. They must be treated as part of the
family. When we do so, they will go the extra mile to take care of our elderly,
our children and couples who work long and draining hours. But as with any society, there are bound to be
a few ‘bad apples’, but we should not generalise.
Maid abuse
cases have risen with 9 cases reported in the first nine months of 2016. 4 out of 10 calls made by the helpers to the
Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Social Support and Training (Fast) voiced
concerns of loneliness and difficulties adjusting.
This year, a couple who starved their maid for more than a year and
caused her weight to plummet from 49kg to 29.4kg will now have to serve longer
jail terms, following an appeal by the prosecution. Housewife
Chong Sui Foon, 48, had her jail sentence raised from three months to 10 while
her husband freelance trader Lim Choon Hong, 48, will also have to serve 10
months in jail, instead of his original sentence of three weeks in jail and a
$10,000 fine.
Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon said it so well: The
couple had subjected Filipina Thelma Oyasan Gawidan to "systematic cruelty”
and denial of her basic human dignity.
I am troubled that some of these helpers are so
badly treated. These helpers
help us so why can't we in turn help them?
On the bright side, there are many employers here in
Singapore – local as well as foreigners who through sheer kindness make the helpers
feel so much at home by giving them good wages, off days, decent meals and a
comfortable bed to rest their weary heads on. Some of these kind-hearted
employers who periodically go to restaurants or hotels with their families for
fine dining make it a point to invite the helpers as they regard them as part
of their very own family. Bouquets to
these employers!
*****
There are endless typhoon and storms that
plague the Philippines throughout the year. Singapore is blessed to be free
from such natural disasters. But here again through these calamities, help will
come to those who are willing to help themselves. It is the Buddhist Charity
–Tzi Chi Foundation that rises to the occasion and gives hope when all hope
seems hopeless. The Filipinos are sort
of immune to their homes and property being destroyed during the natural
disasters. Through these adversities, they have become resilient with the
wonderful support of the volunteers from Tzi Chi Foundation who fervently
believe that it is unwise to give fish, but far better to teach people to fish.
With this in mind the charity came up with
the programme, CASH FOR WORK where
they pay the affected families a fixed sum (500 pesos or $15 per person) to
rebuild their homes. This programme was so popular that it attracted thousands
of Filipinos to step forward to rebuild the damaged homes. Good karma returns like a boomerang when kind
deeds are done. Delighted and happy to see their homes rebuilt through the
compassion of Tzi Chi, many Filipinos are today volunteers with this charity.
Indeed, let’s help our helpers.
Raymond
Anthony Fernando
No comments:
Post a Comment