“Primary School Dropout Earns $5,000 a Month as Food Delivery Rider, Calls It His “”Dream Job”” “

SINGAPORE: A primary school dropout is making headlines for earning at least $5,000 a month as a food delivery rider—a sum surpassing the starting salary of many university graduates. Despite working 16 to 20 hours a day in all weather, 21-year-old Wangan Bryan considers this his “dream job,” relishing the flexibility and income it provides. “It’s relaxing,” Bryan told AsiaOne, describing his enjoyment of setting his schedule and earning customer tips, along with receiving medical coverage and incentives.

A TikTok video Bryan shared about his monthly earnings has drawn over 70,000 views, showing he completed 1,229 deliveries and earned nearly $6,800. Many viewers congratulated him on his “hard work,” while others reminded him to prioritize safety and hydration.

Bryan started working for Foodpanda in late 2023, switching from his former job as a warehouse assistant. Since transitioning from a bicycle to an electric bike, he’s been able to take on more shifts and double his income. “Most of the time, I’m braving the rain or sun, and my body has to resist fatigue,” he said, acknowledging the demands of the role. Yet, he envisions continuing in the role until retirement, adding that he is saving up with hopes of purchasing private property.

Despite Bryan’s success, data from the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) reveals a contrasting picture for most delivery riders. In 2022, seven out of ten riders reported earning less than $3,000 a month, and four in ten work over 44 hours per week. Additionally, the survey found that two-fifths of riders would leave the industry if other opportunities arose, as long working hours and limited career progression dampen the perceived flexibility of gig work.

At the Symposium on In-Work Poverty in March 2023, researchers from the National University of Singapore’s Social Lab discussed the job’s precarious nature. Shamil Zainuddin, a research associate, remarked, “Gig workers face unstable work regardless of qualifications,” while fellow researcher Thian Wen Li pointed out the hand-to-mouth nature of gig work: “Once you stop, your livelihood is jeopardized.”