SINGAPORE, Oct 27 — Close to S$280,000 (RM840,774) has been raised for the construction of a temporary wet market in Jurong West to replace the one that was gutted by fire earlier this month, but it is still some ways short of the S$600,000 needed by December.

An early morning fire blazed through a 30-year-old wet market at Block 493 in Jurong West Street 41 on October 11, burning the livelihoods of close to 50 stallholders in the market and neighbouring coffee shops to the ground.

The affected stallholders, most of whom are currently jobless, told their Member of Parliament Ang Wei Neng that they wish to relocate to a temporary wet market nearby.

As it cost an estimated S$600,000 to build the temporary market, a series of “ground up initiatives” have been underway to help raise the amount needed by December,  Ang said.

The MP, who is also the grassroots advisor to Jurong Central Grassroots Organisation (GRO), said a group of 10 businessmen, temples and clan associations have contributed to the initial fund-raising efforts. 

He gave this update at the sidelines of a job fair at the Jurong Green Community Club today aimed at helping affected stallholders find work while the temporary market is constructed.

He said several schools like Hong Kah Secondary School, Yuhua Secondary School, Canadian International School nearby have indicated that they wish to help. 

Cheng San Market and Cooked Food Centre and Chong Boon Market and Cooked Food Centre have also pledged to chip in.

The temporary market is slated to be up and running by Chinese New Year.

Ang also said building plans for the temporary market have been submitted to the Urban Redevelopment Authority, pending approval from agencies like the Building and Construction Authority and the National Environment Agency. 

One of five contractors who submitted their quotations will be chosen either by today or tomorrow to build the market.

As several stallholders are in greater need of help,  Ang added the GRO has  also identified who they are, and will be assessing how much financial assistance needs to be rendered.

In the meantime, the Housing and Development Board has started tearing down the old market to reconstruct a new permanent market.

At the job fair jointly organised by the GRO and the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i), more than 15 companies including household names like Breadtalk, NTUC Fairprice and Food Republic are offering job opportunities.

A total of 800 job vacancies are available, with 625 full time positions and over 175 part time positions in the retail and food and beverage industry.

“While waiting for the (sites) to be ready, they can use their SkillsFuture credit, take up some courses like computer literacy or customer service,” said  Ang:

An optional two-day workshop, also organised by e2i, will also be offered on Nov 3 and 4. It is aimed at helping the stallholders pick up skills like resume writing, grooming and interview skills. 

Another vocational training session — which covers areas like handling of food and expenses — will also be held. — TODAY