Community efforts raise $280,000 to help build temporary wet market in Jurong West

In the wake of the raging early morning fire at Jurong West on Oct 11, the 30-year-old wet market has begun the demolishing process to make way for the construction of a new permanent one. But in the meantime, the close to 50 stallholders in the market and nearby coffee shops are mostly jobless right now.

They’ve voiced their wishes to Member of Parliament Ang Wei Neng to relocate to a temporary wet market in the vicinity, but that would take about $600,000 to build. Luckily, generous souls have stepped in to help.

Several ground-up initiatives have kicked into place, and the fund-raising efforts managed to come up with almost $280,000 to go towards the construction of the temporary wet market. Businessmen, temples and clan associations pitched in to help; schools and other markets and food centres have also said they would chip in. 

Unfortunately, it’s still short of the amount needed by December. The temporary market is projected to be built and occupied by Chinese New Year in 2017.

While waiting for the new site to be ready, a job fair at the Jurong Green Community Club was set up today to help the stallholders find temporary jobs. Over 15 companies, including Breadtalk, NTUC Fairprice and Food Republic, made appearances at the fair to offer a total of 800 job vacancies. 



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