Following the government's snap decision to ban e-scooters on footpaths on Nov. 4, about 7,000 food delivery riders found their livelihoods in jeopardy.

On Nov. 8 morning, Member of Parliament (MP) Tan Wu Meng shared about a Clementi resident, Saire Adnan, who works as a Grabfood delivery rider.

Had been working as delivery rider since 2017

Saire, who had his leg amputated in 2013, started working as a food delivery rider in 2017.

Previously, he worked at an office-bound telemarketing job for a while, but his employer decided not to keep him as they were afraid that he might fall at work due to his disability, Yahoo reported.

Saire was able to make a humble living working as a food delivery rider by utilising an e-scooter.

In June 2019, he was also commended by Tan in a Facebook post, speaking of Saire as an inspiration and achieving independence.

Still unclear how riders' livelihoods will be protected

A way of life for thousands of Singaporeans, the ban on e-scooters has hit food delivery riders the hardest.

Saire does not stand alone among those affected.

So far, within a few days of the ban, affected riders have showed up at Meet-the-People Sessions (MPS), but no clear solution has been provided by authorities so far.

About 30 riders showed up in Chong Pang on Nov. 5 to meet K. Shanmugam, the Nee Soon GRC PAP MP of the ward.

A second group of 50 riders gathered in Ang Mo Kio GRC on Nov. 6, hoping to meet Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who is the MP of that area.

A third group of 50 food delivery riders turned up in Jurong Spring ward on Nov. 7, who were attended to by Desmond Lee, the GRC MP of that ward.

Lee told those at the MPS that their concerns would be brought up to the Ministry of Transport and the Land Transport Authority on Friday.

Top image via Tan Wu Meng/FB

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