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Condo Previously Called Out For Discrimination Apologises For The ‘Confusion’ Caused

2021-09-08 , 2:18 pm

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past week, you’ll know that three big things happened recently:

COVID-19 numbers spiked, leading to a sudden change in COVID-19 rules
Goody Feed’s non-existent tabby cat just gave birth to a healthy baby kitten
And a condominium near our previous office was called out for racism and ageism

Now, in case you’ve really been living under a rock (if you do, why not download the Goody Feed app so that you can stay updated when you come out?), here’s a brief flashback for you:

Bukit Batok Condo Management Called Out For Racism & Ageism in Tender For Security Services

On 6 Sep 2021, Savills Property Management, which manages Hillview Heights, was called out by the Security Association Singapore (SAS) for discrimination.

The management had posted a tender for security services on the e-marketplace site Really Singapore.

It asked for guards who speak Mandarin and are below the age of 60.

The tender also stated that the management will impose financial penalties of S$100 per shift if it fails to provide “a Chinese-speaking guard” for more than six shifts each month.

Fines of S$100 will also be imposed if guards provided are below 21 years old or above 60 years old.

According to SAS, this shows the management’s intention in not deploying older guards and discriminating against non-ethnically-Chinese personnel.

Then, the association said it’ll raise the issue up to TAFEP.

Well, fast forward 2 days later, and the management responded to the issue.

Bukit Batok Condo Called Out For Discrimination Apologises; Says T&Cs Were From the Year 2000

On 8 Sep 2021, a spokesperson for Savills spoke to CNA.

The property management apologises for the “confusion” caused by the tender document.

It was explained that the situation arose due to “historical tender documentation language” from 2000.

They have taken steps to ensure that all tender documents adhere to the current Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices (TGFEP).

It was added that they hope to have a “constructive dialogue” between SAS and the Association of Strata Managers.

SAS’s Response to Savills’ Response

In response to Savills’ reply, SAS had more to highlight in the tender document.

It pointed out the “immediate removal” provisions that were on the same tender, and many other “security contracts”.

The provision basically allows the management to demand the removal of officers immediately for various reasons “without due process”.

This isn’t “in the spirit of fair employment or fair consideration”, the association says, since it basically gives them the power to dismiss officers irresponsibly.

The association says it hopes that this stipulation will be in Savill’s review.

They have once received a complaint where a security officer was asked to be removed because he had his back turned on a condominium’s MCST’s chairman and did not greet him as he was driving in.

The security company refused to entertain the management’s demand and subsequently lost its contract.

And no, this condominium isn’t Hillview Heights.

SAS Will Continue To Keep An Eye Out

For security officers, the SAS is probably their very own VR Man, and it seems the association isn’t ready to let them down.

The association says it’ll continue to “keep an eye” on tenders put out by Savills and other managing agents and buyers.

Should they spot unfair or discriminating clauses, they will not hesitate to point it out.

It was added that, while age and race are in the spotlight, it’s merely the tip of the iceberg.

“All stakeholders in the industry should sincerely review the form and spirit of security tenders in totality, in order to effect meaningful industry transformation.”