As Wednesday was Labour Day, we thought we’d share Salleh’s story in honour of all workers. This is also a timely reminder to ourselves to value and appreciate those among us whose hard work has made our lives easier in one way or another.
53-year-old delivery rider Salleh used to be a Chief Steward at a hotel, supervising the cleaning of crockery… While the job was stable, it was not fulfilling, “No matter how hard I work and how many problems I solve, my hours and pay never change.” So, when the health of his parents started failing, he quit. “As a delivery rider, I had the flexibility to care for my parents and it felt better that when I work more I get more.”
Shortly after we began our chiropractic clinic in August 2022, Salleh registered as a patient. Less than a year later, however, he told us how amazed he was that the pain he’d been living with had subsided. He was now able to work even longer hours and earn around $3000. Salleh starts delivering food at 10 am, returns home at 3 pm to rest, and gears up for a second shift from 6 pm to 11 pm.
Then in October 2023, while he was making a food delivery on his electric bike, he was struck by a car. Salleh would spend the next 4 days in hospital for surgery on his shoulder and trachea. Upon discharge, he was given 50 days of medical leave.
The delivery platform gave Salleh a little more than $1000 to cover 9 days of missed work and 1 day of hospitalization. When friends advised him to approach a welfare organization or his siblings for financial help, Salleh’s response was, “My brother and sister have their own families to care for. It’s my problem lah, not theirs!”
Salleh elaborated that his father had always impressed upon him to never ask for welfare assistance. It is the advice he has taken to heart. Salleh admits that throughout his life he has been “neither borrower nor lender.” When he could not work, he coped the best he could. “My wife mans the merchandise counter of a popular night spot and she would pass me $10 every day before she leaves for work.”
“It is ok to go to bed a little hungry because it is always a joy to start a brand-new day without debt!” is a philosophy deeply ingrained in him. Salleh’s mantra has always been to live within his means and follow the law of the land. With a twinkle in his eye and a smile, he told us “I smoke where I am supposed to and because I know I have never been on the wrong side of the law, I am always asking the police officers to not take up too much of my time whenever I am stopped for a routine check.”
Salleh still has more surgical procedures ahead of him, but he continues working hard to set aside money to tide him over a little more comfortably when he’s next on medical leave. He continues attending our chiropractic clinic to help with some of his issues but is realistic about what can be done, given his medical condition. “I know that the chiropractor must be careful with my injuries, but I trust that he will help me where he can and it just feels good talking to people who care.”
“Growth is meaningless unless it is shared by the workers, shared not only directly in wage increases but indirectly in better homes, better schools, better hospitals, better-playing fields and generally a healthier environment for families to bring up their children.” - Mr Lee Kuan Yew at the NTUC’s 50th anniversary in 2011
