SINGAPORE: An Indonesian worker who’s currently earning S$6,000 a month took to Reddit to ask locals if “working from 9 am to 11 pm almost every day is actually normal in Singapore.”

The 30-year-old wrote on the r/askSingapore forum that they’ve been operating on a punishing schedule of up to 14 hours a day and have even been putting in hours on weekends.

“I keep telling myself it’s just ‘startup life’ or ‘SG hustle culture,’ but I honestly can’t tell anymore if I’m getting a normal experience or getting cooked.”

They explained that they moved to Singapore some time ago for a creative role at a tech company, where they handle a mix of video editing, AI content production, prompt engineering, and motion graphics.

“I genuinely like the work,” they said, but admitted that their routine has started to feel a bit draining. Most days are just work, then home, then sleep, on repeat. They added that they can go an entire weekend without speaking to anyone face-to-face, and it has made them realise how much they miss having a proper social circle.

“What does a reasonable workload actually look like for someone in a creative/production role here?” they asked others.

“Also, [do you have] any recommendations for communities, meetups, hobby groups, or hangout spots? An Indonesian community would be nice, but honestly, I’m open to anything—sports, board games, art stuff, expat groups, whatever’s chill.”

Regarding pay, they asked locals what the salary benchmark would be for someone in their role.

“I have zero idea what the going rate is in SG, and I don’t want to lowball myself the next time pay comes up. I was promised to get increment if I can achieve my boss expectations (but there is no contract to it), and it really is tiring to work, sleep, work, sleep nonstop. It’s nice to know there is a future for me, but it’s a bit scary to not have any fixed guarantee to it. If anyone’s in a similar lane or hires for one, I would love a ballpark.”

“14 hours is crazy.”

Many were shocked by the post author’s demanding work schedule, with several commenters saying it is “definitely not normal” in the country and calling the conditions unsustainable.

“I apologise for the treatment you receive in Singapore. These are unhealthy work hours. You can look for another job,” one comment read.

“A 14-hour workday for S$6k is way under the norm. That’s similar to earning S$3.5k if you work a typical 8-hour workday. Are there any RSU (restricted stock unit)? If not, that’s just mad,” another chimed in.

“14-hour days is not startup hustle, that’s just exploitation, lah. If they’re not paying you at least S$4-5k for that grind, you’re basically subsidising the company,” a third wrote.

“14 hours is crazy. I remember I did 15-16 hours per shift for conscription service, and a lot of people went crazy. So you better take it easy. Maybe you can get yourself into Pokémon and One Piece TCG. There are a lot of trade shows too. You need to enjoy yourself; if not, your long working hours will not do you any good in the long run,” a fourth added.

Some users, however, pushed back, saying such working hours are more common than people think in certain industries.

“Super common. It’s very normal to work 10-11 hrs per day and weekends too. In particular, if you are not Singaporean/PR because you can’t just quit a bad job,” one said.

“I’m not at all advocating it, but the hours are normal. And the thing is, the more creative professionals here ask to be paid, the higher the likelihood companies begin looking for remote talent they only have to pay a third to half your salary for. It’s already happened where I work. Friends in other organisations can concur,” another commented.

In other news, a man is seeking advice online after his mother, who “chased him out of their home” in 2024, is now demanding that he financially support both her and his father.

Detailing his dilemma on a local forum, he shared that his relationship with his mother had already been strained long before he was forced to leave.

Read more: ‘She chased me out’: Man says mum now demands financial support years later

This article (‘14 hours is crazy’: Worker earning S$6K questions long work hours in Singapore) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

Eudaemonius posted a photo:

Manuel Gual posted a photo:

The Soul of the Stout: From Field to Brew

This evocative visual series documents the atmospheric journey of crafting a legendary dark stout. The narrative begins in the sun-drenched barley fields at the peak of harvest, transitioning into the tactile selection of raw grains. It captures the intense, glowing heat of the roasting process where the barley acquires its characteristic deep color and charred aroma.

The collection moves through the mechanical energy of the milling room into the heart of the brewery, where steam rises from massive copper vats and fresh hops are introduced to the boiling wort. Each frame emphasizes the balance between industrial heritage and artisanal precision, concluding with a scientific look at the final ruby-black liquid. A cinematic tribute to the alchemy of water, malt, and fire.

These images have been generated by Artificial Intelligence.

Manuel Gual posted a photo:

The Soul of the Stout: From Field to Brew

This evocative visual series documents the atmospheric journey of crafting a legendary dark stout. The narrative begins in the sun-drenched barley fields at the peak of harvest, transitioning into the tactile selection of raw grains. It captures the intense, glowing heat of the roasting process where the barley acquires its characteristic deep color and charred aroma.

The collection moves through the mechanical energy of the milling room into the heart of the brewery, where steam rises from massive copper vats and fresh hops are introduced to the boiling wort. Each frame emphasizes the balance between industrial heritage and artisanal precision, concluding with a scientific look at the final ruby-black liquid. A cinematic tribute to the alchemy of water, malt, and fire.

These images have been generated by Artificial Intelligence.

SINGAPORE: A domestic helper’s situation has sparked concern online after claims surfaced that she has been getting by on very limited food despite putting in long, exhausting workdays.

On Wednesday (April 22), her friend shared the case in the SINGAPORE TRANSFER (No Fees/SD), DIRECT HIRE & NEW HELPER Facebook group, posting photos of the meals, which consisted largely of plain white rice with only very small portions of side dishes.

In the caption, the friend wrote, “She works from 5:00 a.m to 9:30 p.m daily. For lunch and dinner, the employer only provides the food in the photos. The employer says, ‘If not enough, use your own money to go buy yourself!’

Photo from SINGAPORE TRANSFER (No Fees/SD), DIRECT HIRE & NEW HELPER

Photo from SINGAPORE TRANSFER (No Fees/SD), DIRECT HIRE & NEW HELPER

Photo from SINGAPORE TRANSFER (No Fees/SD), DIRECT HIRE & NEW HELPER

Photo from SINGAPORE TRANSFER (No Fees/SD), DIRECT HIRE & NEW HELPER

Photo from SINGAPORE TRANSFER (No Fees/SD), DIRECT HIRE & NEW HELPER

The friend also claimed that her employer has been making her pay for basic daily necessities such as toilet paper, soap, and shampoo.

“I thought the employer was supposed to provide these basic things? She already signed the contract on the first day she arrived because they forced her to, so now no choice lor.”

According to the post, the helper has been in Singapore for about three months and is currently under a six-month loan deduction arrangement. She had reportedly asked about transferring to another employer after completing the loan, but was told “don’t know/cannot,” with no further discussion.

“The employer refused to talk about it. She is very stressed and scared,” the friend added. “The agent directly gave her passport to the employer, and the employer is keeping it now. The helper doesn’t have her own passport. Is this even legal?”

“The least they can do is give proper food.”

In the comments, a netizen said, “Please know your right. Employers’ responsibility to provide enough food, as well as toiletries. Those good employers provide more than that.

To employers out there: Don’t hire a helper if you can’t afford to feed them. Do your own thing.”

Another wrote, “The employer is supposed to provide the helper with food and toiletries. Also, it is illegal for employers to keep the helper’s work permit or passport, so the only remedy is for the helper to report to MOM because some agencies take the side of the employer.

A third added, “Being a helper is a physically taxing job. The least they can do is give proper food.”

Several others, however, gave the employer the benefit of the doubt, with one netizen saying, “There are always two sides to every story. Is the employer eating the same food as you? If yes, it may be difficult to argue unfair treatment if everyone is eating the same meals shown in the pictures. It’s understandable why they may say additional food should be purchased separately if there is more or another type of food.”

Another commented, “How do we know the pics are actual photos of what the helper eats? We don’t know, right? From the plate and food, [it is clear] this is from an Indian household. (No offence, just an observation). From what I know and have seen at my many Indian friends’ homes, their helpers are given food but choose not to eat this and not to eat that.”

According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), employers are required to provide their domestic helpers with three meals a day. This can include something like four slices of bread with spread for breakfast, and for lunch and dinner, a meal with one bowl of rice, about three-quarters cup of vegetables, a palm-sized portion of meat, and fruit.

Employers are also required to provide basic necessities, including a mattress, pillow, blanket, bathroom amenities, and toiletries such as soap, shampoo, toothbrush, and toothpaste.

In addition, employers are not allowed to keep their helpers’ passports, and any violations should be reported to MOM.

Read also: After 24 years, domestic helper becomes ‘second mother’ to Singapore family

This article (Maid allegedly survives on limited meals while working from 5 am to 9:30 pm daily) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Domestic helpers are typically hired to handle everyday household chores, but in some homes, the bond between employer and helper grows so strong that they are no longer seen as staff, but as part of the family.

Recently, a Singaporean woman shared on Reddit that her family has become deeply attached to their domestic helper, whom she lovingly calls her “Aunty” and even her “second mother.”

“My aunty has been with my family for 24 years, and we genuinely treat her like family. She eats with us at meal times, she sleeps in air conditioning, and she uses the same bathroom. I share products with her and buy things for her often.”

“We don’t ever ask her to pay us back, and everything is always on us, including phone bills, medication, and even allowance money on top of her salary. I often bring her out for meals, especially when my parents are travelling, which is often. She is like a second mother to me.”

When her aunty asked “if she would be sent home” after learning that the family would be moving overseas and that the family’s dogs had passed away, the woman said her family reassured her that she would always have a place with them for as long as she wanted.

The woman explained that because her aunty had sacrificed so much of her life, including time away from her own family, to care for theirs, her family now sees her as one of their own. Although her aunty keeps in touch with her family back home, she shared that “Singapore feels more like home to her now than the Philippines.” She even expressed that she hopes to help raise the woman’s future children.

“My brother and I are very close to her. We hug her, and she is like blood family. Sometimes people ask how we are related, and she will joke that she’s my sister. Honestly, I love my aunty so much; she has seen me through everything. I would even name my daughter after her if I had one.”

Looking ahead, the family is planning to bring the aunty along on trips abroad. They hope to take her to Japan this year and to Europe next year after her brother graduates.

“This year we want to bring her on travels to Japan like we did when we kids were younger, but this time for her to enjoy because she deserves it. She has always been so loyal and never took anything; she gave way more than we could want, and she is a wonderful person. I plan to support her like she is family for as long as she lives, because she truly is family.”

Read also: ‘Is this allowed?’: Unpaid intern says role meant for learning turned into manual labour

This article (After 24 years, domestic helper becomes ‘second mother’ to Singapore family) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.