The New Garang Guni Man

I remember when I was young, the garang guni man are always pretty old, in their 50s or older, driving their pick up around and honking that familar horn going "Garang Guni!".

When I shifted to my HDB flat two years back, I was shock to see the replacement of our good old friendly GG man to a much younger version.... not just younger but also non-local.

They were mostly PRC foreign labour who are here on work permit.

You would wonder... is there a work permit for being a GG man? Woah... we're really pretty advance in our MOM laws eh?

NO.... they are here on work permit as construction workers, but due the slump in the construction industry, these men are given "time-off", so they have to find other jobs to support themselves during this "time-off". They still have to pay monthly fees to their boss supposedly to pay for their work permits etc.... (that's where the complication starts).

In short, as a GG man, they earn the difference between collecting the papers from us and the recycling facilities.

One GG man who seemed to be quite disgrunted by his current status because his friends told him that "there's gold everywhere in Singapore" but he felt otherwise. ha ha ha... But he passed on his unhappiness to me also!!

Normally, my newspapers are worth 10cents per kg.... but he gave me only 8cents! I said... okay.. let him earn MORE since he's so poor thing right? Did you know how much $$ my 2months worth of newspapers fetched? Only $1.50.

How can that be? Normally, after 2 weeks, when we can find the GG man, the paper would fetch about 80cents. So how can 2months be worth less than $2?? Obiviously he wasnt really honest with the weighing scale. I was really unhappy and shocked at the price he offered, when I question him on the total weight, he arrogantly responded, "Don't sell if you're not happy, I earn so little already you are still trying to pick on me. What is this $1.50 to you?"

If not for the fact that 2months worth of papers was too bloody heavy and tiresome to collect back from him (cos I was alone at home) I would have given him a piece of my mind and ask him never to come back again (alone mah... so abit scared and dun dare to show my claws....).

You can be sure that that was the last time I sold my old newspapers to him.

My question is... what is happening to our dear old trusty GG men?? Our own local guys whom we can trust to not "cheat" us of a few cents, our own guys whom we know we can to a certain extent be secure with their pressence.

With these foreign guys, they may be tempted to break into a house to steal things or harm our elderly folks, especially if they are nearing the end of their contract, once they leave the country, it would be almost impossible to trace them ever again.

I understand from the Criminal Investigation Unit that alot of our crimes here are committed by foreigners who are desperate for some quick cash, at times they commit serious offences like murder. We cant really be so lax and say nebermind about them....

for everyone of them walking down our corridor.... there's one more pair of eyes wondering what's good inside that house.

Aren't you scared?