Kf Seetoh warns against 'egregious contracts' some Singapore hawkers are forced to take
"If you are thinking of getting a stall in such SEHC privately run public hawker centres, I urge you to think twice or get your lawyers to read and interpret the pain points," he wrote in a Sept 29 FB post
Singaporean food expert Kf Seetoh has once again raised concerns over the unfair contractual obligations imposed on some hawkers in the country. On September 29, 2025, Seetoh posted on social media about the ongoing issue of hawkers being charged S$70 per month for space to store blue supplier baskets, a practice he had previously criticized. He stated that this issue remains unresolved and is not the standard practice in other hawker centres, describing it as "Profiteering at best."
Seetoh, known for his advocacy of Singapore's hawker culture, has long pointed out the myriad contractual obligations that hawkers face, even after previous discussions in Parliament. Among these obligations, he highlighted strict rules regarding access to hawkers' information, an 18-hour workweek from 6:30 am to 11 pm, and fines of S$100 for closing without prior permission. The management of these hawker centres, overseen by the National Environment Agency (NEA), has come under scrutiny for its stringent rules.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the management's practices, Seetoh questioned the NEA's rationale behind these rules and the agency's duty towards both the public and hawkers. He emphasized that these hawker centres, being publicly funded, should strive to provide affordable meals and opportunities for entrepreneurship, especially for new hawkers trying to navigate the challenges posed by artificial intelligence.
For potential stallholders, Seetoh advised that they seek legal counsel to thoroughly review the contracts. He urged those feeling pressured by the extensive and seemingly exploitative terms to reconsider their options, suggesting better alternatives in other locations. It is important to note that the statements and allegations presented are based on Seetoh's social media post and the screenshots he provided, without any representation or endorsement by TISG. Readers are encouraged to make their own judgments based on the information provided.
Written by urgent.news from The Independent Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
