‘I’ve been applying to many jobs’: Son seeks advice after mum got diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer
SINGAPORE: A struggling jobseeker has appealed to Singaporeans online for advice after his ageing mother—the family's breadwinner, who earns only around S$1,500 a month—was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. Taking to the r/askSingapore subreddit, the man said his father, who has been out of work for three years following a foot injury, had effectively “abandoned” the family. According to him,…
A 28-year-old Singaporean man reached out to fellow citizens for guidance after his mother was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. The cancer-stricken mother, who is the family’s sole breadwinner earning around S$1,500 per month, received the news during a Zoom call with her son. His father, unable to work due to a three-year foot injury, has, according to the son, essentially "abandoned" the family. He claims his father never answers calls or messages.
Currently residing in a nursing home in Singapore, the son reported that his financial situation has worsened significantly since completing his national service (NS). His monthly allowance dropped from S$846 to just S$180. Additionally, the son's obligation to repay a tuition grant bond has complicated his job search, especially for full-time positions.
He has been actively applying for various jobs but has had little success, particularly in permanent roles due to the tuition grant requirement. The son is ineligible for combat or physically demanding roles, having been classified as "PES E9."
His younger sister, still pursuing a polytechnic degree under the Tuition Grant Scheme, contributes by working part-time while attending classes. The son urgently seeks advice on how to support his family and continue his job search. Other Redditors advised seeking full-time employment in Singapore or part-time work to earn an income while continuing the job hunt.
They suggested looking into part-time roles such as restaurant work, food delivery, hospital porter, or airport porter. Another recommendation was to return to his university or polytechnic for assistance in finding employment. The son was also advised to inquire with his mother's hospital about available financial relief or subsidies and to consider reaching out to his local MP for support.
Lastly, suggestions included looking into a career with security firms in 5-star hotels or resorts, which can pay between S$2.5k to S$3k monthly, including a 12-month bonus.
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.
