SINGAPORE: For Singapore to become a key player in the global supply chain, logistics firms here need to adopt new technologies and improve productivity, said Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing on Wednesday (Jul 18). 

“Today, a typical item that enters Singapore, either from the port, the airport or the Causeway will probably have zipped around the island a few times before it finally reaches the hands of the final consumers,” said Mr Chan, adding that it is a situation that is “highly inefficient, highly unproductive and a waste of time and money”.

Speaking at the opening of Australian logistics company Toll Group’s S$228 million logistics hub, Mr Chan said he wants to make this a thing of the past, but that requires all logistics firms to continue innovating and to utilise their resources more effectively.

“What we have today – automated vehicles picking items from the shelves and loading them onto the trucks – is just one part of our innovation in the entire supply chain,” said the minister. 

“I have a dream where all the things in the warehouse are organised overnight in the dark – picked, packed and delivered in the night to all the destinations, without holding up the traffic or fighting with the daytime logistics flow. That is how smart urban cities should look like,” he added. 

Mr Chan said this is why Singapore needs to testbed new concepts on this front, and build it into a competitive advantage. This way, Singapore can also be a role model and a testbed for many other countries, particularly in Asia.

He cited Toll Group as one of the firms that is contributing to this vision of improving Singapore’s logistics and supply chains, and which has successfully done away with labour-intensive operations through the help of automation and digitalisation.

For instance, automated guided vehicles and smart shelving systems at its new hub have helped Toll Group reduce manpower costs and ramp up its efficiency by up to 30 per cent. The company is also constantly working on new solutions that will help to maximise the usage of space in its warehouses.

When asked if the use of automated equipment has displaced jobs, Toll Group’s executive vice president for global logistics, Mr Vincent Phang, told Channel NewsAsia that, on the contrary, it presents the company and its workforce with new opportunities.

Mr Phang said: “If anything, the opportunity for us to automate allows us to create new and better jobs for our workforce. 

“From an operator standpoint, it no longer is just about operating a single forklift, it could be that such an operator is operating a fleet of forklifts or being a supply chain planner, so that gives us the opportunity to upskill our talent and to create more meaningful jobs for them.”

He said the firm is able to ensure a healthy pipeline of talent through the government’s Professional Conversion Programme, as well as working closely with polytechnics to attract its graduates into the industry.

SINGAPORE: The Autism Resource Centre (ARC) has opened its first social enterprise cafe, Professor Brawn Cafe, in a school. The outlet, which is located at Raffles Institution (RI), was officially opened by Education Minister Ong Ye Kung on Wednesday (Jul 18).

The cafe provides job opportunities for the special needs community and gives them a platform to showcase their talents and abilities. Under a partnership with Gong Cha, it also offers a selection of drinks from the popular bubble tea brand’s menu.

Five of the cafe’s 10 employees have special needs, and are paid competitively based on their job scope.

ARC’s deputy executive director Jacelyn Lim said that the centre’s main intention in setting up the cafe is to drive the message of inclusion and create jobs for those with special needs.

 “They get to learn skills, apply their skills and be productively employed,” she said. “Second, there is also dignity – work is dignity, and that’s very important. It also gives them financial independence.”

Professor Brawn Cafe was first founded in 2009 by Mr Roland Tay and his wife, ARC President and Member of Parliament Denise Phua. However, in the middle of this year, the couple decided to donate the franchise to ARC, as it has the job coaching expertise and network to expand it to benefit more people.

With the change, the brand closed its two outlets located at Novena and Boat Quay. The cafe at RI is the first to reopen under ARC’s management. 

CAFE SHOWS WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE INCLUSIVE: ONG YE KUNG

Speaking at the opening of the cafe, Mr Ong pointed out that the model is an illustration of what it is like to be inclusive.

“You see a delicate, artistic and careful balance,” he said. “On the one hand, there’s a lot of inclusiveness because they’re in the middle of a mainstream school, where students will get to be served by them and interact with them.”

“But on the other hand, this is also a sanctuary, where they feel safe, and where people know what kind of cafe it is and calibrate their expectations,” he added.

“So it’s about striking a balance. And that’s important for the education system as well.”

WHY SET UP IN A SCHOOL?

There are obvious benefits to setting up the cafe in the school, with ARC’s Ms Lim explaining that it gives them affordable rental and a “captive crowd”. Previously, she said, the cafe functioned on a “typical commercial model”, with high overheads.

Ms Phua, who is also chair of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Education, said she has observed that in some schools, volunteer work or community involvement is not done on a daily basis.

“It’s usually done once a year, or once a term,” she said. “So having this inclusive workforce, in a mainstream setting, where the students are actively involved and engaged, is really a more effective way of involving the community in supporting them.”

She added that the RI students have helped with food tastings, publicity and even co-creating menus for the cafe. RI, she also pointed out, has been one of their earliest partners, and it was “by chance” that the school happened to have a space for them to set up the cafe after a previous tenant vacated.

Since the cafe opened for business at the start of the month, Year 5 RI student Rowena Chua has visited “multiple times”.

“I think by now, the entire school community has visited the café,” she said, describing her experience as “the same as at any other restaurant or café.”

“When we go there, we know we’re interacting with a group of people who are slightly different, so I take a bit of caution when I interact with them,” she said. “But there’s no need to possess any stereotypes or harbour any misunderstandings about them.”

“Because after a while, you get to know them, and you realise they’re pretty much the same as us.”

Moving forward, ARC also hopes to replicate their model in other places, and Ms Lim stressed that they are not limiting themselves to operating only in schools.

 “Ultimately, it’s about the message of inclusion, and that’s not confined to schools.”

SINGAPORE: The National University of Singapore (NUS) and technology company Grab are partnering to launch an artificial intelligence (AI) laboratory here aimed at finding ways to alleviate traffic congestion and other urban transportation issues.

In a press release on Wednesday (Jul 18), both parties said the Grab-NUS AI Lab was set up with a joint initial investment of S$6 million. It represents the varsity’s first AI laboratory with a commercial partner, and the ride-hailing company’s first major AI laboratory, it added.

Minister for Education Ong Ye Kung on Wednesday also witnessed the signing of the research collaboration agreement between NUS president Tan Eng Chye and Grab CEO Anthony Tan.

Located at the NUS Institute of Data Science, the lab will use data from Grab’s platform – said to have facilitated more than two billion rides – to solve “complex, real-world challenges in Southeast Asia” such as mapping out traffic patterns and identifying ways to impact mobility and liveability in this region, they said.

The lab, which has 28 researchers, will focus on improving the efficiency and reliability of transportation on the Grab platform in Southeast Asia’s cities first, before expanding to research larger challenges such as congestion and liveability.

The research includes developing algorithms to “match drivers to the jobs they prefer and improve driving safety through better understanding of driver behaviour”. Researchers will also work on improving “precision and accuracy in mapping pick-up points and localising moving vehicles to help passengers and drivers get from point to point with greater ease and efficiency”, the press release stated.

Grab’s Mr Tan shared that its data, for example, shows that travel time from Newton to Tanjong Pagar can be “drastically improved”.

“If this route would be better served by more shared transport solutions such as buses, trains, GrabShuttle, GrabShare or GrabHitch, we could bring travel time during peak hour down by one-third or from 40 minutes to 28 minutes,” the CEO said.

The lab will also contribute to the development of AI talent through the training of PhD students who will be enrolled at the university, they added.

SINGAPORE: Local security agency firms can tap on a new plan that outlines clear roadmaps to help them adopt digital technology in their work, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Home Affairs Josephine Teo announced at its launch on Wednesday (Jul 18). 

The Security Industry Digital Plan (IDP), developed by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) in partnership with the Ministry of Home Affairs, identifies a list of technology solutions at different stages of their development. It is a part of the security Industry Transformation Map announced in February.

For instance, firms that have barely implemented any technological solutions will start in the first stage of the roadmap. It includes basic technology such as automated visitor management systems, mobile-enabled patrol and incident management systems, and surveillance cameras with analytics. 

Mr Kenny Ng, a senior security supervisor at a condominium which has adopted technology into its security measures, said that his job has been made easier with surveillance cameras. 

“It’s 12-hour [work] so, with this technology, it has made our job easier. We just monitor our cameras on the screen … Previously we have to chase [after] the vehicles and record the vehicles. Now our vehicle plate recognition camera will allow vehicles to enter and exit smoothly and records are automatically updated in the smart database,” said Mr Ng. 

For security agencies that are more advanced in technology adoption, the roadmaps suggest cluster guarding, robotics, artificial intelligence and immersive media to beef up existing digital technology strategies. 

SMEs can use an online self-assessment checklist to rate their digital readiness and identify digitalisation opportunities. 

To encourage local security agencies to adopt pre-approved solutions identified in the roadmap, Enterprise Singapore will set aside S$7 million through the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG). There are seven pre-approved solution packages available, with more in the pipeline. 

The pre-approved solutions, selected by MHA and IMDA, have been proven, market-tested and are cost-effective, said Mrs Teo. It will reduce the effort needed by firms to find their own solutions and give them a peace of mind that the vendor is reliable, she added. 

PSG will help support 50 per cent of qualifying costs, capped at S$30,000 per security agency per year. A majority of security SMEs are eligible for the grant.

A guide for an “Outcome-Based Security Contract” as a “necessary first step” to guide service buyers in adopting contracts based on outcomes, as opposed to fixed headcount was also launched. The guide includes principles and templates for service buyers to adopt such contracts at every stage of the tender process. 

Mrs Teo said that many security agencies in Singapore have not adopted any technology in their work, and about 30 per cent of firms have adopted one technological update in their work.

“With these pre-approved digital solutions and support available through PSG, we aim to double the number of security agencies that adopt at least one of these three pre-approved digital solutions by 2020 … Certainly, by 2025, these basic building blocks should be the norm and no longer the exception,” she added. 

TRAINING THE INDUSTRY’S WORKFORCE

The IDP also includes a roadmap on training to prepare the security industry’s workforce with the necessary mindset and skills to adopt and benefit from technology. 

Developed with SkillsFuture Singapore and the Security Industry Institute, the training is aligned with the Skills Framework for Security.  

Raj Joshua Thomas, president of Security Association of Singapore, said that the plan can help alleviate manpower issues in the industry. 

“At any one point of time, we have a shortage of security officers so we are helping to right-size the industry with technology. If we have to deploy less people, the shortage will just become lower and lower, and negated. So, I think we should not worry about officers being replaced by technology because structurally there is already a shortage,” Mr Thomas told Channel NewsAsia. 

“The image that people have of the industry will also change because previously, people think it’s a jaga (caretaker) job but it, in fact, has already moved up to something of a higher value,” he added. 

SMEs that require more help in reviewing their business can approach the SME Digital Tech Hub for business advisors or specialists for more advance digital solutions. These consultancy services are provided free-of-charge. 

It is the fourth IDP launched to guide SMEs on their digital transformation efforts. Previously, similar IDPs were launched for the environmental services, logistics and retail sectors. 

A Technical Reference (TR) for video analytics systems was also announced at the launch. The TR sets requirements and specifications for the selection, installation, operation, maintenance and data interoperability of video analytics systems. 

The TR, which will be ready by end of next year, will help buyers assess the effectiveness of systems. 

SINGAPORE: Michelin awarded the Bib Gourmand to 50 Singapore food establishments in 2018, a huge leap from the 38 that was given out last year.

The latest list includes 17 new establishments. Hawker food also came out tops, with 28 of the recipients found in hawker centres.

The Bib Gourmand award was established in 1997, and given to establishments selected by Michelin inspectors for their quality menu priced at no more than S$45.

***

MICHELIN’S BIB GOURMAND 2018 FULL LIST

1. A Noodle Story
2. Alliance Seafood
3. Ah Er Soup (ABC Brickworks Food Centre)
4. Balestier Road Hoover Rojak
5. Bar-Roque Grill
6. Bismillah Biryani
7. Chai Chuan Tou Yang Rou Tang (Bukit Merah View Food Centre)
8. Chey Sua Carrot Cake
9. Chuan Kee Boneless Braised Duck (Ghim Moh Market & Food Centre)
10. Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa
11. Eminent Frog Porridge & Seafood (Geylang Road Lorong 19)
12. Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa
13. Fresh Taste Big Prawn Noodle (Zion Riverside Food Centre)
14. Heng (Newton Food Centre)
15. Hong Heng Fried Sotong Prawn Mee
16. Hong Kee Beef Noodle
17. Hong Kong Yummy Soup (Alexandra Village Food Centre)
18. Hoo Kee Bak Chang
19. J2 Famous Crispy Curry Puff
20. Ka-Soh (Outram Park)
21. Kok Sen Restaurant
22. Lagnaa
23. Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow (Old Airport Road Food Centre)
24. Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice (Chinatown Complex)
25. Liao Fan Hawker Chan (78 Smith Street)
26. Man Man (Tanjong Pagar)
27. Muthu’s Curry (Little India)
28. Na Na Homemade Curry (Bukit Merah)
29. New Lucky Claypot Rice
30. New Ubin Seafood (Bukit Batok)
31. Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee (Hong Lim Market & Food Centre)
32. Rolina Traditional Hainanese Curry Puff (Tanjong Pagar Plaza Market & Food Centre)
33. Shi Hui Yuan (Queenstown)
34. Shi Wei Da (Fengshan Market and Food Centre)
35. Sik Bao Sin (Desmond’s Creation)
36. Sin Huat Eating House
37. Sin Kee Famous Cantonese Chicken Rice (Holland Drive)
38. Song Fa Bak Kut Teh (New Bridge Road)
39. Tai Wah Pork Noodle (Hong Lim Market & Food Centre)
40. The Blue Ginger
41. The Coconut Club
42. Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice (Maxwell Food Centre)
43. Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice (Tiong Bahru Food Centre)                  
44. Tiong Bahru Yi Sheng Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee (ABC Brickworks Food Centre)
45. Shirokane Tori-tama
46. True Blue Cuisine
47. Whole Earth
48. Yhingthai Palace
49. Zaffron Kitchen (East Coast)
50. Zai Shun Curry Fish Head               

MELBOURNE: With technologies enabling remote working, tele-conferencing and instant email access, one would assume stress levels have reduced and work–life balance is now within reach.

Yet in a recent study by risk advisory company Willis Towers Watson, 60 per cent of employees surveyed in Singapore admitted to having above average or high levels of stress.

Another recent study by recruitment agency Robert Half showed that 25 per cent of Singaporean professionals surveyed revealed they would leave their current job for a better work–life balance.

WORK STRESS, THE WORLD’S SILENT KILLER

Regardless of our actual job or rank, we have all experienced stress at work. When managed appropriately, work stress has a positive impact on our work performance – think about the burst of adrenalin that carries you through a major project.

Work stress becomes harmful to our health and performance when the stress experience is prolonged. Factors that intensify the stress experience include working long hours in a week, facing work–family conflict (i.e., when demands at work interfere with family life and vice versa), having relatively low control over one’s work and work environment, having a lack of supervisory support, and facing high work demands such as a pressure to meet tight deadlines.

For example, prolonged intense work pressure drove an accounting lecturer at Cardiff University to commit suicide in February. His workload had increased significantly after he was made deputy section head, meaning he dedicated long hours to his work even during family time and vacation.

In studies of British, Australian and New Zealand police officers led by Professor Paula Brough at Griffith University, work stress was found to have both a physical impact (leading to difficulties with relaxing and sleeping, fatigue, migraines, stomach and heart problems) and a psychological impact (leading to people feeling constantly “on edge” or nervous, being irritable with colleagues, or perceiving core work such as assisting the public as a nuisance).

Although the stigma associated with stress is declining, many employees prefer to seek professional assistance for work stress through their own general practitioners than an employer-sponsored scheme. Many employees and managers in Singapore also tend to keep their mental health issues under wraps for fear of losing out in promotion opportunities.

READ: Why there will always be a place for the office jerk, a commentary

FLEXIBLE WORK

Technology-enabled flexible working has only exacerbated this problem. Work now extends far beyond the office.

Most people will put in time late at night, on weekends, and even on vacation. The boundaries between work and non-work are blurred as employees struggle to “switch off”.

Employees who work remotely have also been shown to have increased mental health risk, primarily due to feelings of isolation and disconnection. Employees who thrive on feedback and encouragement would also struggle with flexible working, as they require regular social interaction and connection with their supervisors and co-workers.

However, as technology continues to push into new areas, it is likely that flexible working will continue. But that doesn’t mean that work stress has to increase.

Research has shown that flexible working is not always bad. Working mothers around the world have benefited greatly from flexible working and are now able to fulfil their professional and personal responsibilities.

Increased autonomy and control over work can potentially help employees to achieve work–life balance.

There is also a difference between having technology and managing technology. Technology should be managed effectively to ensure that its benefits aren’t outweighed by increased work stress.

Employees who set boundaries set clear expectations for those around them. For example, not answering work e-mails on the weekend or on holiday reinforces the boundary between work and non-work and ensures that your time off will not be encroached upon by others.

In the healthcare industry, millennials are using technology to craft the jobs they desire, including working different shift patterns and job-sharing with colleagues.

READ: Being funny at work can be good for your career, a commentary

GIG ECONOMY NOT SO LIBERATING

The “gig economy”, comprising mainly of freelance and contracted workers, has emerged as a result of technology-enabled flexible working. The promise of being able to choose when to work is an attractive one, particularly for low-skilled workers whose jobs can be low-paid and inflexible.

Yet the “gig economy” has proven to be more inflexible than liberating. As there is no shortage of ride-sharing drivers or food delivery couriers, there are emerging reports of overworked drivers and couriers who clock in at least 12 hours a day just to get by.

The isolation and daily work stress faced by this group of workers have driven many to depression. “Gig economy” jobs that do not give workers control and offer low, unstable income are expected to be the leading cause of stress-related illnesses in the next decade.

WHAT WE CAN DO

Part of alleviating work stress comes down to changing the workplace culture. Both employers and employees have a responsibility to set parameters and actively dissuade the development of a round-the-clock work culture.

Employees need to know that taking a break and not working over the weekend is alright. Employers need to walk the talk. Seeing employers lead by example and encouraging self-care is the best way to ensure employees are comfortable taking the same liberties.

Having open, consistent dialogues about work stress and mental health will also encourage employees to speak up and share about their own experiences.

Technology can bring both benefits and possibilities, but employers and employees would have to work together to adapt. Otherwise, the advantages of technology-enabled flexible working will quickly become disadvantages.

Carys Chan is Lecturer/Assistant Professor of Management at RMIT University. Paula Brough is Professor of Organisational Psychology at Griffith University.