A STOMPer says an F&B company had sacked his 55-year-old mother with just a two-week notice, apparently because it was hiring cheaper China workers.

He says the termination letter his mother received on Apr 11 came as a shock because she is in good health and had been a faithful worker, working as a part-time stall assistant at the company for close to six years.

He adds that she had not been guilty of any serious misconduct neither had she been persistently late for work or committed any serious neglect of duty.

Said the STOMPer in an email to STOMP today (Apr 23):

"My mum’s appointment letter dated 1st September 2002 had this clause stating 'You are assured that there is a continuity of the period of employment'.

"The F&B company is in a healthy financial state, and it has a few food court operations in Singapore and overseas. So why did the F&B company terminate her?"

He wonders if it is simply because the cost of hiring foreign workers is cheaper compared to hiring a Singaporean.

As his mother is old and with only two weeks' notice, he wonders if she is able to claim compensation from the F&B company should she fail to find another job soon.

He said:

"The government is always encouraging more local senior citizens to contribute to the working force but on the other hand, why are some companies retrenching or terminating older workers without valid reasons?

"I can’t seem to understand why many local companies love to hire foreigners.

"Is it simply because the cost of hiring them is lower?

"Is there any fairer treatment for senior workers or any law that will protect them against a company that terminates their employment without valid reasons?"

STOMP is contacting MOM for comment.