Singaporean food and beverage group Chang Cheng Holdings has reportedly rewarded long-serving employees with gold plaques weighing between 20g and 30g, recognising those who have clocked 10 years or more with the company.
According to Shin Min Daily News, the group began as a small Chinese mixed vegetable rice stall in 1994 and has since grown into a sizeable operation, running around 160 restaurants and over 30 coffee shops, with a workforce of more than 1,200 employees. Its portfolio of brands includes Ming Kitchen Seafood, Rong Kee Roasted Delights, and Partea.
Gold plaques presented at anniversary dinner
The long-service awards were handed out during Chang Cheng Holdings’ 32nd anniversary celebration dinner, held at Fairmont Singapore on Feb 6. Employees attending the banquet were treated to premium dishes such as abalone and shark’s fin soup, and also took part in a lucky draw.
Shin Min reported that all employees with at least 10 years of service, regardless of role or seniority, received a gold plaque made from 999 pure gold. Each plaque was engraved with the company’s headquarters image and brand logo, alongside the recipient’s years of service.
The weight of the plaque — 20g, 25g, or 30g — was marked at the lower right corner, together with the words “999 pure gold”. The plaques were presented in red SK Jewellery gift boxes and displayed in transparent frames bearing each recipient’s name.
Employees with 10 to 14 years of service received a 20g plaque, those with 15 to 19 years received 25g, while staff who had served the company for 20 years were awarded 30g plaques.
Based on SK Jewellery’s listed price of S$271 (RM838) per gram for 999 gold, a 20g plaque would be worth about S$5,400 (RM16,690) at current rates. In total, the value of the gold plaques distributed is estimated to exceed S$500,000 (RM1.55 million).
More than 100 employees received the gold plaque
Chang Cheng Holdings’ founding managing director Kok Kuan Hwa told Shin Min that the initiative was a gesture of gratitude towards employees who had stood by the company over the decades.
“This is simply to thank the team for their hard work and dedication over the past 32 years, and for staying with us through thick and thin,” he said. “I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone.”
A company spokesperson added that more than 100 employees received the awards, and said the group would continue looking into meaningful ways to recognise staff contributions.
Previous rewards included Rolex watches
Several employees also shared that Chang Cheng Holdings had previously gifted Rolex watches to long-serving staff. One employee, surnamed Chen, who has been with the company for seven years, said seeing colleagues receive Rolex watches in the past left a strong impression on him.
“I was very envious,” he said, adding that it motivated him to work harder.
A coffee shop manager under the group said he had witnessed colleagues receiving Rolex watches before, and felt honoured to be awarded a gold plaque this time around.
Another employee, surnamed Li, noted that high-performing stalls may also receive S$1,500 bonuses, which are then distributed to staff by their supervisors. She added that the company’s generous treatment of employees plays a big role in why many choose to stay with the group long-term.
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