Service sector in Singapore draws South Korean workers

Many see opportunities here, taking up jobs despite higher pay back home

Ms Lee Yoon-ji (top), 23, a hotel receptionist, and Ms Lee Ji-woo (above), 19, a waitress, are among the South Koreans working here.
Ms Lee Yoon-ji (above), 23, a hotel receptionist, and Ms Lee Ji-woo, 19, a waitress, are among the South Koreans working here. ST PHOTOS: TIMOTHY DAVID
Ms Lee Yoon-ji (top), 23, a hotel receptionist, and Ms Lee Ji-woo (above), 19, a waitress, are among the South Koreans working here.
Ms Lee Yoon-ji, 23, a hotel receptionist, and Ms Lee Ji-woo (above), 19, a waitress, are among the South Koreans working here. ST PHOTOS: TIMOTHY DAVID
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Two months ago, Ms Lee Yoon-ji, 23, resigned from her job as a finance executive in a bank in Seoul and bought a plane ticket to Singapore. Here, she began work as a receptionist at Novotel hotel in Stevens Road.

In the process, she took a 50 per cent pay cut - she now earns about $1,800 a month - while working nine-hour shifts five days a week.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on September 08, 2019, with the headline Service sector in Singapore draws South Korean workers. Subscribe