Limbo of the Working Class

"My way or the highway"

Ha! I did some background check and found out that interns in Singapore are covered under the Employment Law. So, we too are entitled rights. What I need now is advice from a lawyer.

So, basically, once interns hit the 44 hours per week mark, employers are liable to pay us overtime. Seeing that my hours per week hit a whooping high of 50 hours per week, they better do so. Should they fail to do that, it means that I am in a position to bring this issue to the Liaison Officer, right?

I mean, I most certainly didn't sign any stupid contracts with fine print saying that I will sell my soul to the company.

For gods sake, I did a check on the average working hours per week in Singapore and around the world, Singaporeans still clocked in higher-than-average working hours than others. Normally, Singaporeans hit the 40 hours per week.

Well, I guess at least we get paid while getting tortured. And it's a good thing I am not in the hotel industry, they have shift work and some work for more than 12 hours. Are you freaking kidding me?! Never, I rather stick with office work.

They literally have us stuck between a wall and a cliff. It's my way or the highway, to put it bluntly. We couldn't say no to the Polytechnic, right? And once the company have been decided for you, you can't change it.

We are not given any choice in the matter at all. Unless, you count that pathetic excuse of self-secure. *roll eyes*

Whatever happen to the calm and poised approach I wanted? I thought that since this is something I have to go through anyway, I will be more open-minded. But, no, seems like I still freak out over it.

Sighs, whatever happen to my wishes? I am destined to get stuck in this limbo of the working class for as long as I live. Unless, a miracle happens.

Anyway, I'm not going to think so much, because whenever I think too much, everything just turn for the worse.

I'm not determined to hate it when I haven't even experience it. I am just writing what I feel and think. Let me pass my judgement on Judgement Day.

I still can't believe I am not even worth $2.20 per hour! Gosh, am I worse than say a typical construction worker? My mother's company certainly pay their foreign workers better.

Consequences Be Damned

They treat us like vermin, sir"

If there are no consequences, or better still, consequences be damned, would I still go ahead with all these? You bet not.

I finally know where I got posted to for my internship. It just have to be in Ubi, out of all the places. And the pay just has to be the minimum, a measly amount of $440 a month. Here is the "best" part, the hours are from 9.00am to 7.00pm.

So, what it means is, I am not even worth $2.20 per hour. Eh, I have double the pay for every hour I work in my part-time job, alright?

Now, now, the definition of internship is to gain experience without pay. I know that in the States and other countries, internship literally means no pay at all. So, in a masochistic way, I suppose I should be grateful that I even have a pay at all.

But, they can't treat us like cheap labour! This is like exploitation in a first-world country. What? They treat us no better than second-rate citizens! This is outrageous!

I don't know. For me, internship is just another pesky aspect of school that I have to get through. I don't necessary like, but nothing can be done. I might as well give in my best, which I have to anyway, because I am not going to mess up my plans.

I didn't exactly sign myself up for all these, OK? Between 2 choices, people usually choose the one they like. For me, since I don't like anything, I just have to choose the one I can tolerant better than the other. See the difference?

That being said, I didn't sign myself up for this course and what not because I like it, it's just because I have a higher tolerance level for this rather then another course.

I am having a break-down here. I'm freaking out, so as to speak. I don't know if I can do this well. It's freaking 8 CUs, and I have to get the Pass with Commendation. I just have to. Oh gods. And I don't think I'm ready for the real world, not yet.

It's all too overwhelming. Suddenly, I don't want to grow up, I rather pick school over work any other day. That is for certain. Unlike others, I don't see working as an escape, it is a prison, where you will get stuck for the rest of your life.

I already know what I like and dislike. In a sense, I don't need a reality check. In fact, what those lecturers said don't include me. I don't want this, get it? I see it as a chore I have to do.

However, I guess they are right about one thing. It's only 11 weeks, it will pass very soon. I have endured nearly 2 years in the Poly, haven't I? What's another 11 weeks? Well, for one, it stinks big time.

I have to do my best and hope for the best. Hey, in fact, give me all the mundane tasks, I welcome those. I really wish for a good working environment.

So, I will have to cross the bridge when the time comes and I will be back among the living in December. Oh dear, December seems so faraway.

Goodbye to holidays~