"Better Salary Than Here" — M'sians React To SG Offering RM5,000 For Roti Canai Maker
Besides the RM5,000 salary, the job vacancy also offers accommodation and meals.
By Sadho Ram — 23 Apr 2024, 11:06 AM
"Salary RM5,000 and above, prayer room, accommodation, and meals provided," stated an ad listing published in the New Straits Times
The job vacancy ad was published in the English daily's classifieds section yesterday, 22 April.
The New Straits Times reported that the high demand for skilled workers in Singapore has led recruiters to place ads offering competitive salaries without requiring higher education certificates.
The English daily's Facebook post about the job has since attracted hundreds of comments from Malaysians sharing their reactions
"Better salary than working in Malaysia," read one of the most-liked comments.
"What for you wanna waste time for RM5,000?" replied a commentator, saying that RM5,000 is insufficient to survive in Singapore when roti canai makers in Melaka earn RM3,500 a month.
Another person argued that RM5,000 for a roti canai maker in Singapore was still better, as the company also provides food and accommodation, allowing the staff to save a lot of money each year.
Others quipped that this might finally stop Singaporeans from coming to Malaysia for good roti canai.
In response, a commenter joked that Singapore would then claim to make the world's Prata.
"If you can't claim it, buy it! Well played, Singapore, well played!" remarked another.
RM5,000 salary for a roti canai maker in Singapore, however, is nowhere close to what a restaurant in Melbourne was looking to pay a roti canai chef back in 2022. A whopping RM17,100.
Meanwhile, the Restaurant and Bistro Owners Association (PPRB) of Malaysia warned locals that while the salary might appear competitive, it may not provide a comfortable lifestyle overseas
"The salary offered is actually not luxurious and somehow challenging for the expat to make a living. The rental of a room alone can be anywhere from SGD600 to SGD800. Then your daily expenses and travelling transport will cost you more," the New Straits Times quoted PPRB vice-president Jeremy Lim as saying.
"The offered salary may sound substantial in ringgit terms, but when converted to Singapore dollars and considering the cost of living on the island, it might not provide the desired quality of life."
He, however, admitted that Malaysia was losing its culinary talents to neighbouring countries.
"Retaining talent in Malaysia is increasingly challenging, especially in the food and beverage and retail sectors. Opportunities across the causeway are enticing talent away from Malaysia, driven not only by salary but also by the broader range of opportunities available," he added.
