Channel NewsAsia
Updated: 10/03/2012 05:28 | By Channel NewsAsia

Higher maintenance fees for some hawkers despite tray—return project

Higher maintenance fees for some hawkers despite tray—return project


Higher maintenance fees for some hawkers despite tray—return project

SINGAPORE: The National Environment Agency’s (NEA) tray—return project looks set to be rolled out fully in the coming months.

But some hawkers say that does not work out to lower monthly maintenance fees for them.

The newly revamped hawker centre at Bedok South Road is one of nine food centres picked for NEA’s project.

Customers will be encouraged to return their own trays after eating. Some say they welcome the move as it will reduce cleaners’ workload.

But stall owners at the hawker centre say they are now paying higher monthly maintenance fees.

They have been told by cleaning firms that this is a result of workers’ increased wages.

"We were at first asked to pay monthly maintenance fees of S$400 after the hawker centre’s revamp. Before the revamp, it was S$230," said a stall owner.

"But with the tray—return project, customers as well as stall holders can help keep trays. The fees were revised to S$300."

— CNA/xq

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