GE2020: Appeal on chat apps to hire temperature-takers on Polling Day is legitimate, ELD says

SINGAPORE — The Elections Department Singapore (ELD) has clarified that a message making its rounds on messaging platforms calling for people to work as temperature-takers on Polling Day is a legitimate recruitment call, though it did not come directly from the department. 

The message stated that the original sender was “helping a friend” to recruit 3,000 temperature-takers for July 10. 

Successful applicants will be paid S$15 an hour and they have to work from 8am to 8pm.

The message also stated that the temporary assignment is suitable for people who are not eligible to vote, such as those aged between 16 and 20.

However, ELD clarified in response to TODAY's queries on Saturday (July 4): “There is no age restriction stipulated for the temperature screeners, other than to exclude all primary and secondary school students from applying for the role."

It is not known who wrote and first sent the message, but it ended by stating that interested applicants could contact an individual from the Kelly Services employment agency.

ELD confirmed that it had engaged Kelly Services to provide about 2,500 temperature-takers for the General Election, with two personnel stationed at each polling station across the island.

Earlier this week, Kelly Services put up a Facebook post to say that “while the job role is indeed legitimate”, the message was circulated by a member of the public with a “good intention to assist in spreading the opportunity” and was not created by the employment agency.

Alluding to the age requirements stipulated in the message, the company stressed that it supports fair employment practices and does not condone any form of discrimination in its selection process. 

Due to “overwhelming response”, it said that the recruitment exercise is now closed.