HAWKERS MAKING USE OF 1% GST INCREASE TO UP THEIR PRICES BY CRAZY AMOUNTS

In the wake of the recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) hike from eight to nine per cent, concerns over escalating prices have taken center stage, with opposition politician and lawyer Lim Tean shedding light on the impact on hawker stalls.

Lim Tean, who heads the People’s Voice party, posted a photo of a notice indicating higher prices and raised the question, “Are You Seeing Similar Signs?”

A Notice of Higher Prices: Unveiling the Reality

The photo shared by Lim Tean came from Mr. Patrick Heng, who expressed his observations after the GST increase. Mr. Heng revealed that a fried carrot stall he frequented had raised its prices from $3.00 to $3.50.

A quick survey of neighboring stalls indicated that 50% or more had similarly adjusted their prices. Mr. Heng questioned whether those yet to raise prices would succumb to the same pressures.

Lim Tean, responding to Mr. Heng’s revelation, expressed astonishment at the magnitude of the price increase – a jump from $3 to $3.50. He emphasized that this isn’t merely a 1% increase but a substantial 16-17% surge, amplifying the financial strain on consumers.

Public Outcry: Evidence from Hawker Stalls

Further substantiating concerns, another Facebook user, Mr. Lawrence Chong, shared photos from various hawker stalls displaying notices of impending price hikes. One particular photo highlighted an announcement that prices for bee hoon, mee, kway teow, and vegetarian duck would increase by S$0.50.

The shared instances of hawker stalls increasing prices underscore the ripple effect of economic decisions on everyday consumers. As prices surge in response to the GST increment, concerns grow about the broader implications on the cost of living and affordability.

Netizens’ comments

1. Don’t be so naive to think that it is just a 1 % increase. Since when have businesses increased prices by a mere 1 %? Minimum is 10 %!
2. A slight increase – my foot! This is daylight robbery. The only way to force the price down is for the consumers to boycott such hawker centres.
3. Cant blame these stall owners… they hv to do wat they must to be in business. They hv overheads to pay too
4. Expect these type of shops to close for good too. Customers shouldn’t patronise those greedy ones that takes advantage of situations.