Facebook user Aishwarya Kumar recently posted on how her 71 year old father was terminated by his employer Mustafa through mail and just given a month of salary. She stated on how the company was soulless due to their discriminatory practices.
Here is the full story.
[LONG POST AHEAD DONT READ AHEAD IF U HAVE NO PATIENCE BECAUSE THERE IS NO TLDR. Also if you have nothing nice or constructive to say pls don’t comment. Thanks]
I’m not really sure why i am posting this here. Out of anger, looking for sympathy, pure exhaustion… I don’t know how to rationalise or explain how I feel.
But here we are, 10 months since Covid hit our shores. We complained about wearing masks, about not being able to go out and meet friends, not being able to gather beyond 5… we worried about the deadly virus, we were concerned about mortality rates. Some of us job security, but for me, it was my father.
For those who know me well, you’d have met Daddy Kumar. He’s funny, bright, kind, 71 and thriving. He was born in Singapore, worked at Mustafa for 35 years. He had me, his only child, at 41. He didn’t express his affection much verbally, but he showed his love in practical ways that I grew to appreciate as I got older.
At work, he started out as the department supervisor for home appliances, but in 1994, Mustaq (the owner) told him that he was meticulous, and needed someone to helm accounts clerical services. He did just that. Never promoted him, never upskilled him, tolerated bullying by his immediate manager, oh and get this – Mustafa still uses those box-like computers from the stone ages.
Just like everyone, my family was affected by Covid too. Mustafa became a Covid cluster in April, and my dad was told to stop coming to work indefinitely, with a monthly stipend of $300-$600 to support him. The government was as responsive as it could be, with JSS and Covid-19 Support Grants. We went to see the MP about discriminatory practices, she told us about training schemes, how my dad wasn’t the only one facing difficulties, and he should prepare for retrenchment through upskilling. I know she meant well, but it was tone-deaf and lacked empathy. Guess we had hoped for more, but here we are.
We checked in with Mustafa’s Union, HR and Management on a monthly basis on when he’d be able to return, or if there were plans to retrench. Up till two weeks ago, they said they had no plans to retrench, and my dad should just be patient. He’ll be called back soon. So we waited. My dad was able to spend more time with my mum, help her around the house, and also spend time with his new best friend, my dog Cairo.
Today, he received a registered mail from Mustafa. I’ve attached it below, but it was matter-of-fact. Based on some legislation, the company is only supposed to offer u employment up to age 67. You’re 71 now, so unfortunately we can’t keep you. Here’s 1 month salary as your retrenchment benefit, thank u for your 31 years of service. In a follow up call (we called) , they explained that 60 people above 60 have been affected. Letter was mailed out today (17 Nov 2020) and his last date of employment is today (17 Nov 2020).
My dad smiled and said, “well that’s that then. The fight is over, thank you dear for calling TAFEP, MOM, following me to meet the people sessions, calling HR, Union etc., helping me write a resume, getting me to use my skills future, it’s all been very helpful. I’m glad we did whatever we could. Now we can put this to bed. Maybe I’ll get a can of Carlsberg to celebrate.”
That’s my dad for you. I am filled with rage and disgust at how “corporate” and “soulless” this retrenchment exercise has been. Mustafa and it’s management sits on buckets of money – you can see the entire scuffle for money and the shitshow playing out right now between the family on the news / courts. I expected a little empathy for folks that contributed more than half a lifetime to this company. I guess I was naive. I thought to myself – isn’t there a way to ensure dignity in retrenchment? Some guidelines that the company should try to adhere to? Some notice in advance? A phone call from a manager?
Okay I’m never succinct and I’m rambling. I guess my takeaways are – (1) Covid’s made us-companies cold. Maybe they have always been cold. There’s a lot of narratives about how everyone is mobilised – companies, communities – to support one another and that’s great. But here’s an example of the cold, dark side of Covid-19. It displaces the elderly. Yes we can look into training and reemployment, but my dad’s 71, and he should have been able to enjoy some retrenchment benefits. I guess the company’s in bad shape? I don’t buy it. (2) My dad’s resilience in adversity. I seem to be the one that’s more upset. But he smiled and said, “I only wish that they could have done this without stripping me of my dignity. And I wish they were more transparent and honest.”
Like I said, I’m not sure what the point of this post is. Maybe… to remind myself and others to always treat each other with kindness and support one another through unprecedented times. Maybe to memorialize this moment – what a trooper and a superstar my dad is. I wish I could be as rational and tempered. I love my dad, I couldn’t be prouder that he’s my dad, and this moment just illustrates that further. My turn to support him now.