[crdoconnor]

>@crdoconnor I'm from Singapore.

Guess what?

>In short, nobody wants to work in the service industry.

...at those wages.

Australia has far higher wages for service industry workers and no problems getting workers.

>Coupled with some political issues of the last 3 years (mostly resentment towards lower income migrant workers from neighbouring countries), we went from "our entire service industry — and construction and retail and manufacturing and everything other than high end jobs — IS staffed by low wage workers" to "holy shit, let's not let too many of them in and only bring in the educated folks with degrees".

In other words, the F&B establishment got used to the cheap foreigner labor while normal Singaporeans STRONGLY resented having to compete with them. The Government, fearing further electoral damage, vowed to stem the tide of immigrants and the F&B industry is now SO pissed off that the cheap labor tap has been turned off that they've resorted to cheap drone publicity stunts with a hastily written press release reprinted by the BBC.

It's a funny old world.

[skinnylatte]

Sure, but our food is $2, not $20, and we have completely different restaurant economics from Australia (or anywhere in the "Western" world).

Also, what's wrong with drones? We have a great tech industry, and the people building those systems actually know what they're doing + are solving real world business problems. If it develops the tech/hardware industry further, I have no problem with that.

[crdoconnor]

>Sure, but our food is $2, not $20

Only in government subsidized, tax exempt food courts. Restaurant prices are not all that different.

>we have completely different restaurant economics from Australia

The difference is mainly caused by higher median wages (a policy choice) and the lack of government support for food courts (again, a policy choice).

>Also, what's wrong with drones?

Intrinsically, nothing. What I have an objection to is publicity stunts and public relations exercises designed to inadvertently foment support around a policy of suppressing wages.

What's wrong with suppressing wages? Ask that kindly 85 year old uncle next time you order your $2 bak kut teh from him if he feels financially comfortable enough to retire.

[skinnylatte]

Nice to see someone pretend he knows all about social issues.

I don't even like that bar, now I'm going to go and have a drink there.