'Remote Calculation' for Employees Thousands of Kilometers Away... New Trend in the US Amid Soaring Labor Costs

by Lim Juhyeong

Published 15 Apr.2024 14:01(KST)

Updated 15 Apr.2024 21:22(KST)

Remote Checkout Counters Appear in Some New York Restaurants
Filipino Staff on Monitor Perform Tasks Instead of People

New York Minimum Wage $16, Filipino Staff $3.75
"A Way to Cut Costs... AI Likely to Replace in the Future"

In New York City's restaurant scene, which is struggling with soaring labor costs, a 'remote cashier' has emerged, drawing attention. On the 9th (local time), the US 'New York Post' focused on new restaurants appearing in New York. Their services and food offerings are not significantly different from typical restaurants. However, the difference lies in the 'cashier counter.'


Instead of staff at the cashier counter, there is a large monitor, and inside the monitor, a subcontracted employee working in the Philippines is on standby. The subcontracted employee remotely handles customer orders from thousands of kilometers away in the Philippines.


Remote checkout counters introduced in restaurants in New York, USA <br>[Image source=Captured from New York Post]

Remote checkout counters introduced in restaurants in New York, USA
[Image source=Captured from New York Post]

원본보기 아이콘

Why did New York restaurants adopt such a cumbersome system?

It is due to the soaring minimum wage caused by recent inflation. This year, New York City's minimum wage has reached $16 per hour (about 22,150 KRW). On the other hand, subcontracted employees in Southeast Asia can be employed for just $3.75 per hour (about 5,200 KRW).


Customer reactions to the remote cashier were mixed. Some customers enjoyed the 'innovative idea,' but others criticized it, saying there was "no human interaction."


When an employee is absent, the message "I will be back shortly" sometimes appears. [Image source=New York Post capture]

When an employee is absent, the message "I will be back shortly" sometimes appears. [Image source=New York Post capture]

원본보기 아이콘

Meanwhile, the notorious American 'tip culture' has not disappeared despite the introduction of remote cashiers.

The New York Post reported, "Restaurants that have introduced remote cashiers still receive tips of up to 18% of the food price."


There are also predictions that remote cashiers will eventually be replaced by artificial intelligence (AI). Brett Goldstein, a startup founder and technology expert, said, "Remote employees are definitely a way to reduce costs," but added, "In the future, there will be even stranger and more dystopian developments. Remote employees operate the POS system behind the screen, but perhaps in 6 to 12 months, AI avatars will be able to do the same job."

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.