Are we really that shorthanded in the food & beverage industry? Is it due to entreprenuerial goals causing most to set up their own restaurants instead of working for others? Or is it due to the fact that Singaporeans are really not interest "low-paying" service jobs? Lei Garden Restaurant at Orchard Shopping Centre is one such victim that has closed its restaurant after 25 years of running the place. The sign placed outside the restaurant states that the Orchard branch has closed due to sever manpower shortage, but the outlet at Chijmes is running as usual. According to The Straits Times, it is said that due to the tightening of foreign worker levies, the industry has faced severe manpower crunch. Makansutra's Seefood Seeshore food court and Big Bern's American Grill have faced similar closure but due to proper business decisions from high overhead costs and staffing costs but lacking the appropriate sales income. Is there anything that the government can do to help, or is there anything that perhaps the commerce committee can discuss on to help in the situation? Will we be cooking our own meals next time?
By Darinee Durai
By Olivia Tiboleng
