500 SGD Hawker Scheme Extended 

A scheme that grants Singapore's hawkers 500 SGD if they work with delivery companies has been extended until the end of 2020. Though the deadline for the scheme was due to end on June 30th, more and more applicants have come forward and as a result, the Singapore government has decided to extend the scheme. Those hawkers operating "at hawker centres managed by the National Environment Agency (NEA) or by its appointed operators are eligible for the scheme."

SG Government's Hawkers Go Digital Scheme Encourages Digitization

In a bid to modernize Singapore's hawker industry, the government has implemented the Hawker Go Digital Scheme. It is hoped that under this scheme, Singapore's hawkers will be able to modernize their trade and be more effective in appealing to a larger group of Singaporeans. The scheme "launched in June, aims to help Singapore's 18,000 stallholders in wet markets and hawker centres adopt the unified Singapore Quick Response Code (SGQR) e-payment solution by the middle of next year (2021)." Those hawkers who successfully integrate into the Hawkers Go Digital Scheme stand to gain a lot. "Hawkers who sign up for SGQR under the scheme are eligible for a bonus of $300 a month - up to a cumulative $1,500 - if they log at least 20 transactions of more than $1 each in a month."

The Hawkers Go Digital Scheme works hand-in-hand with the new government scheme to push hawkers toward a more digital business model. So far, 1,200 hawkers have applied for the new government grant and 5,400 stall owners have opted to adopt e-payments in line with the Hawkers Go Digital Scheme. 

Why Going Digital has Been Diffcult for Singapore's Hawkers

Many of Singapore's hawkers are seniors who have never really had the knowledge of how to utilize new technology to digitize their businesses. For example, 75-year-old hawker, Lee Fook Choi, now encourages his customers to pay for the herbal tea in his shop by scanning a QR code on the wall. "Just a month ago, however, the 75-year-old, who has had a stall at Chinatown Complex Food Centre for the past four decades, did not even know it was possible to receive payments in this manner." Mr Lee elaborated that "people think seniors are not open to new technology, but that's not true. We just don't understand how these things work. But as long as someone shows us, we're open to learning."

The Benefits of Going Digital for Hawkers

1. One of the main benefits of digital transactions is that contact between stall owners and customers is limited. "The Singapore Government has ramped up efforts this year to promote digitalisation amid the economic and social disruption brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic." They aim to help "stallholders to minimise physical interaction with customers and the handling of cash."

2. Another benefit that digitizing hawker businesses provides is that tracking transactions is much easier. Mr Lim Siew Leong, 73, who runs a porridge stall in Chinatown Complex Food Centre said, "It's convenient for everyone. I can see all the transactions coming in at one go too." Being able to keep accurate records of incoming cash is crucial when doing accounting and balancing the books. If any cash goes missing, it's far easier to track it within a digitized system rather than manually having to keep tabs on cash flow.

3. Hawkers can also reach more people if they opt to use delivery. Mr. Yong, a hawker that is part of the Singapore Government's Hawkers' Development Programme, said that COVID-19 has brought about an important shift in mindset when it comes to hawkers and delivery. "People may have been resistant to ordering food via delivery apps from hawkers in the past, but the Covid-19 situation has also caused some to change their mind set and see that hawker food can still taste good even when it is not eaten on the spot."

4. Many Singaporean hawkers are even furthering their digital transformation by making use of social media. Using platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, hawkers can drum up interest in their businesses and attract a younger crowd. Mr Yong has decided that "he can try new digital initiatives to reach more potential customers, such as conducting Facebook live shows."