NO TITLE

"I am working as undertaker"

I looked into his eyes without a word. He reassured me " Yes undertaker!"
Another friend turned his head and asked " sorry what do you mean?"

I am working as undertaker. A moment of silence ruled the tabel. My hand with a piece of KFC chicken stopped midway in the air to my opening mouth.

Being the oldest in the group of four I broke the silence..
" Ah! interesting.. ah.. I mean...like... umm... so... what your daily activities at you work is like"

He shot a reply with ease " Well. I send people off for their last trips" and he continued " Yeah! most of the people don't believe that when I said I work as a undertaker"..

" Well,, ya know..that's fine..but I am just curious why you choose to work as a undertaker?..

" I have no choice, I couldn't find a job"

Yah!!! I think every job is fine but this young and able chap sitting in front of me I think he deseves more promising career. He speaks well and is personable.This's the first time we met through Jason and he is Jason's army mate.

He lacks educational qualification but still I dont believe there is no better job for him. He is still so young. Being a undertaker for a temporary mean is fine in my opinion for a young man. But to make it his life long employment, I wouldn't encourage. And here, we are not talking about working conditions or emplyment market in Singapore not a third world. With the Singapore Government's proactive efforts and many emploment channels and help desks around...

That's a conversation after our night out singing session. After singing at Orchard Party World KTV, we went for a supper at ceneleisure. I met Jason's friends Alvin and Ray.

Ray went on saying he quit his last job or rahter after being asked to leave and become an undertaker. He told us he required to stay and work for 70 hours without OT. When he asked the employer to compensate him by paying OT, they asked him to quit. When asked if he seek any help from relevant authorities, he said it wont help.

I tried explain a certain thing about emplyment law and his right..He retorted " we have no right". Being a first time meeting and we have just known for a few hours, I chose not to talk further other than encouraging them to upgrade the skills and look out for better opportunities...

On the way home, I just couldn't get rid of the whole episode and pondered.. and till I post it here..

Come to think of it, there would be always ineqaulities in every society. Every country, regardless of being first or third world. Fortunate and less fortunate. I know this earlier but I never think that in a well run Singapore..well connected Singapore..and its people ( majority) are well educated and well informed..and not afraid to speak out for every right that they think theirs...a young and able man is...helpless....

Why I title my post Titleless? I really dont know how to title.. Actually I would like to surf the www to accertain my knowledge on employment act and write something related to this young man.. maybe one day I will revisit this post...and retitle it if there is a chance..

Fot the time being, I will just read and ask around and wait for Jason, Alvin and Ray to come over to my place for a Burmese Food Tasting and a piece of my talk...
As usual, I will be like a councellor and motivator again over the dinner with my humble opinon and knowledge...