Letter from a Factory Worker
-
Balan, the working-class hero of the Foreword chapter in Singapore Sucks! (the book), sent a letter to his psychiatrist, complaining about the rotten state of affairs in Singapore Inc., the factory helmed by the MM (Manager Mentor).
When I submitted the manuscript for the Second Edition of Singapore Sucks! (the book) to my publisher, I suggested that we use a "handwriting" font for Balan's letter. Because, you know, I want it to look handwritten.
However, when the printers are done with it, the font type turned out to be one size smaller than what I wanted. That is not an issue to younger readers who are used to reading manga or comics with similar font size, but a couple of older readers I met at the library complained that they had to strain their eyes to read Balan's letter in the Foreword chapter.
Therefore, as a fan service, I post Balan's letter here. Now you may adjust the font size as you wish. :-)
Dear Dr. Algernon,
I am Balan. I am a factory worker of Singapore Inc. We produce all types of electronic stuff including radios and hand phones.
Recently, I got into big trouble at the factory and I am worried I may lose my job. I was accused of defamation and disloyalty and everyone hates me now.
Maybe I should explain.
The factory is run by the MM – Manager Mentor. He was a senior manager who stayed on past his retirement age and he gave himself the official title (Manager Mentor) so he can continue to control factory operations.
Anyway, I would like to say that we factory workers don’t earn that much. We work very long hours and we make just around 1000 dollars at the end of the month. Life is hard indeed.
But it is made harder by the MM. Dr. Algernon, our factory very much depends on foreign investment and almost every week, you can see the MM showing the “ang moh” investors around, trying to get them to put in more money.
Based on my observation, I noticed a pattern. Every time the “ang moh” people praise the factory for its cleanliness or efficiency, the MM will be very happy. Then very soon, he will make big changes to the factory. For example, after he was praised by some “ang moh” people, the MM increased the prices of food in the canteen. And we found out that we had to pay more money just to use the toilets in the factory. From free of charge, toilet surcharges increased to 10 cents and recently, 20 cents.
Now, we also have to pay surcharges when we move from one point to another within the factory.
When we protested, the MM shouted that since the “ang mohs” like his leadership, he deserves higher pay and the increased costs are necessary (to pay for his salary). He also reminded us that without him, our factory would be some kampong factory, instead of a first world factory admired by “ang mohs”.
And because of this, the next time an “ang moh” praised our factory, I denied it loudly. I told the “ang moh” that our factory sucks and is very lousy so please don’t praise, ok? Why? Because I was afraid the toilet surcharge will increase to 50 cents and the costs of food in the canteen will be increased again to pay the MM. He will surely want more pay because another “ang moh” praised the factory.
But my co-workers disagreed! When they heard me saying the factory is lousy, they cursed me for being disloyal to the factory. But I was not disloyal! I was just so afraid that the MM will increase costs in the factory again! Our pay will not increase but the costs of living in the factory will.
But my co-workers told me even if the toilet surcharges increase to 50 dollars, I should not have said the factory sucks. They told me I was a disloyal worker.
Dr. Algernon, I am confused. Am I a disloyal worker or just someone who’s afraid of rocketing costs?
Balan
-
Absolutely correct. I agree man
-
Resign and join another company / country.
-
need to pay for toilet then don't pee or shit lah, go long kang outside the factory can or not.
need to pay to move then dont' move lah, you got too much energy or what, company pay you to work, not to move from one place to another.
why you complain to your co workers, got balls complain to the mm lah.
You lucky mm never ask you to shine the ang moh's shoes, after see so many ang moh you still don't know how to shine shoes huhh..
no wonder you are still confused, and lan lan stay behind.
make up your mind, resign and join another company.
-
1) Singapore economy was made as a low cost destination to Western corporates. So it's natural they exploit it.
2) SGians have no confidence whats so ever. And they think White people are great, hanging on to every word.
The real problem of SG today as I see it are the ang mohs who buy property as investment, causing prices to go up and occupy high positions dictating lot of work to locals. Not some poor Indians, or chinese who do basic works.
-
Can summarize 10 words or less?
-
:D
-
-
Times are bad.
-
life is surreal :lol:
-
Hanor hanor.