Length of loan is not the issue: Mah Bow Tan

The government promotes improving the productivity of the workers but at the same time, they import cheap labor. Personally, these two do not gel.

Saying that importing cheap labour is the only way to keep cost own is a myth. In business, there are more than one way to keep cost down.

1) Importing cheap labour - It is one of the way and it is popular because it is the easiest and fastest way to do it. No investment needed. It is not popular in many other countries because it suppresses wages of the local as there is abundance of workers.

2) Automation - This is not that popular because it requires some capital outlay and time to build. Wages need not be suppress because workers are limited. In addition, long term wise, efficiency and productivity will increase as well. That was how the industrial revolution took place. If everyone had stuck to using slaves to build the pyramids, how tall will our tallest building be ever be?

I was in Schipol airport the other day to check in into my KLM flight. There were more than 12 counters to do check ins but only 3 counter ladies to help out because everything was automated. The same went for baggage check ins. There more than 10 baggage check ins but only 3 ladies to help out with the process. The process was fast and efficient and I am happy.

In essence, you can get 3 people with retraining (double their pay) to do the job of what 12 cheap labour will do, and still save cost. The only thing that you had to do, was put in a little time, and money.

The situation in Singapore at the moment is that there is no need for businesses to automate because there is an abundance of cheap labour.

Not all the jobs can easily enjoy improvement in productivity through automation. How much productivity can an office auntie improve so that she can get double the current pay?
She probably could not clean double the area in the same amount of time.

Same with bus driver. Their productivity is limited by the amount of time they can spend on driving and unfortunately, each person has only 24hr everyday.

(24-10-2012, 05:47 PM)yeokiwi Wrote: Not all the jobs can easily enjoy improvement in productivity through automation. How much productivity can an office auntie improve so that she can get double the current pay?
She probably could not clean double the area in the same amount of time.

Same with bus driver. Their productivity is limited by the amount of time they can spend on driving and unfortunately, each person has only 24hr everyday.

Cleaning: I know there is this little autonomous machine (dunno whether its call i-robot) which helps to vacuum the floor. The cleaning lady sinmply just need to ensure tight corners not reachable by those machines are cleaned. Also to maintain those machine.

Driver: Driverless cars are happening. I believe one of these days, remote controlled or driverless bus will be available. Bus driver simply monitor a few buses remotely instead of each driver drive one bus.

sustainability is the word i think?

singapore garhment took the easy way out by using cheap labour... without long term investments into strategic trajectory of innovation & R&D, singapore workforce will continue to remain as a manufacturing one..which means having to compete, based on cost... a cost based economy has to compete with the whole world... developing countries... now is BRICS, next will be peru...africa...

3 millions singaporeans, 1-2 million singaporeans workforce...rest are FTs..

Guess it's true, why waste 20 yrs of time/$ to fund R&D/Innovation projects...just use low cost to compete!

(24-10-2012, 05:47 PM)yeokiwi Wrote: Not all the jobs can easily enjoy improvement in productivity through automation. How much productivity can an office auntie improve so that she can get double the current pay?
She probably could not clean double the area in the same amount of time.

Same with bus driver. Their productivity is limited by the amount of time they can spend on driving and unfortunately, each person has only 24hr everyday.

What you said is true to a certain extend because the cheap labor in Singapore are not limited those jobs.

I am not too sure what is the current McDonald's system in Singapore but where I live, self service kiosk are available to order meals in McDonald's. These kiosk may not be able to prepare the meals but they are able to reduce a significant amount of time in ordering food. This is one other way where automation is improving the efficiencies of everyday life.

When it comes to petrol stations, there is self paying petrol stations. You do not need cashiers to take your money.

In the past you need valets, but with today's technology, there is even an automated car park to park the car for you.

These are just some of the many examples of how businesses can reduce cost without importing cheap labor. Not only do you improve productivity, you do not have to suppress wages.

When people are well paid, they will use the money they have earn, and buy your products. It is a win-win system and everyone will benefit. In the long term, the society will benefit as a whole. That was also one of the reason why the Ford's T-model became so successful.

imported cheap labor or manual job or automated job, i just know that sweden can even import skilless refugees...why can they do it?

(24-10-2012, 10:02 PM)pianist Wrote: imported cheap labor or manual job or automated job, i just know that sweden can even import skilless refugees...why can they do it?

They are able to do that because the quota they set for importing refugees per year is very low.

On a side note, I think it is unfair to call them skilless just because they are refugees. If Singapore ends up in a civil war, you and I will become refugees as well.

Some services can be there to improve our lifestyles while providing jobs that people willing to work. Maybe we can try to make them more efficient...by investing in ...

SPACE
Wider and longer Bus on main route with much wider doors to allow more people to board and exit ... Few Seats for only the needy and have vertical angled cushions for buttock to lean against while standing.

REMOTE
Google mini-bus for remote area (No driver .. maybe remote monitoring)

NO WASH
Eco-friendly Recycle plates and cups in food courts. (No more washing)

COMMON
Common rubbish bin for every 4 cubicles placed beside main walkway. Larger bin to Clear on every alternate day.

DISPOSABLE
Coffee Cans instead of brewing. Reduce need to manage beans, filter, pot cleaning etc ...

All above may not work or need further improvements but have we try hard enough before we say there is no room for improvements ?


Cory