You probably think that the most important person in a restaurant is the chef. After all, a good one can make excellent dishes that will attract hordes of hungry diners.

But it seems not all chefs are equal – some of those in dim sum restaurants in China have become the first batch of workers to get the boot because they are being replaced by machines that can supposedly churn out dumplings that are just as good.

A key reason is that these chefs earn the highest pay – some 10,000 yuan ($1,500) a month compared with waiters, who earn about 1,600 yuan.

To save on costs, these restaurants turn to dumpling machines, which cost only 26,800 yuan apiece. The machines do not need rest or staff welfare and even come with a one-year guarantee for breakdowns.

Their manufacturers note that so long as you key in the correct portions of ingredients, the machines can roll out dumplings with a consistency in quality that an average chef will find hard to match all day.

Though it may be considered sacrilege to use such a machine to replace the top chefs of fine dining restaurants, owners of chain eateries are happy to embrace such technology as it means immediate savings of almost 98,000 yuan a year per chef.

That is only in year one – so long as the machine continues to function, it will continue to save more on wages.

What about the waiters? Some restaurants in China are also replacing them with robot servers, not because they are cheaper, but because it is a job shunned by many people.

It costs about 3,000 yuan a month to rent a robot that can take food to tables.

Indeed, many restaurants prefer humans to robots as waiters, especially if they can provide great service that can charm regular customers back often.

While it may still be years before robots can effectively replace human workers, the experience in China should make both employers and workers elsewhere ponder over how technology and innovation can be used to increase productivity and save on manpower costs.

This is especially so if certain jobs are seen as less desirable.

It brings to mind the recent debate on whether Singapore should have a minimum wage policy so that menial workers such as cleaners can be a paid a base salary that is mandated by law.

Though the intention to pay low-income workers more is a noble one, any legal intervention to employers’ inherent rights to run their own businesses is likely to produce undesirable results.

Assistant professor Justin Leung of the Department of Strategy and Policy at the National University of Singapore Business School says that even if there is a minimum wage policy, there is nothing stopping employers from adjusting to the changes to ameliorate the increase in labour costs.

For instance, increasing minimum wages in the US has led to employers offering part-time options to the same employees or even cutting back staff numbers.

Income aside – even if the pay is reasonable, as it is in China – how many of today’s young people would want to take on “minimum wage” jobs?

No one aspires to be a cleaner in old age, but there is no guarantee that there will not be a new generation of cleaners in a decade or two if today’s younger folks are not careful in saving and retirement planning.

If so, the key question that all employees should ask is: How can I future-proof myself?

Take two of the most popular gig economy jobs favoured by many young people in Singapore – driving for ride-hailing companies and delivering for e-commerce firms.

If you have been keeping up with the news, you would know that the ultimate aim of these companies is to have self-driving autonomous vehicles as well as drones that will be able to deliver to customers directly.

This scenario may still be years away, but are these workers prepared for such a reality?

The money may be good now – some reportedly earn S$6,000 (US$4,400) or more a month – but any financial planner will tell you that such freelance jobs are not sustainable in the long run.

No employment benefits

Gig workers in Singapore are considered self-employed and thus do not enjoy Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions and medical coverage that normal employees receive. They also have no annual leave, and therefore no income on the days they do not work.

So they would do well to make CPF contributions for themselves or risk not having a safety net if they do not save enough for old age.

No job promotions

Long-serving drivers and delivery men will not hit managerial grades that are often open to experienced employees. Indeed, for such jobs, age is a weakness, as the older they are, the less likely they will be able to work longer hours.

Unlike normal employees who expect career and income progression with experience, gig workers are likely to see their incomes decline as they age.

Does this mean that these are dead-end jobs?

Not necessarily, if such workers heed the national call to reskill, upgrade and do better, as this will provide an opportunity for a new career, even as one door closes.

If the competition is likely to come from self-driving vehicles, then humans should look into how they can perform tasks beyond ferrying people and goods from one point to another.

Perhaps Singapore workers can again take a leaf out of China’s book – the lockdowns amid the pandemic have given rise to a new kind of job – condominium butlers who help in all kinds of errands and household chores for residents.

These jobs are very high in demand now as many condominiums across the country are rushing to set up such services, sparking a share market boom for employment companies.

The income for such workers is likely to be decent since there is such high demand. Good workers are expected to earn even more if they receive generous tips from happy customers.

While the concept of condo butlers may not take off here yet, the idea of a personal concierge may be relevant as the Singapore population ages.

Imagine calling for a driver who will not only drive you to meet your friends, but will also help you do your shopping and other errands while you are having fun.

Many retired bosses, who can afford to pay, will certainly see the benefits of such ad hoc services as they have grown used to being served and driven around.

The lesson here is that future-proofing means looking ahead and identifying the value and benefits you can provide that will make you better than robots.

So if you truly like driving, why not train to be a “transporter” – the fictional superdriver-cum-bodyguard for hire made famous by action star Jason Statham, who often saves the day for his passengers?

Now which billionaire will not pay top dollar to have you by his side?

Tan Ooi Bun

THE STRAITS TIMES (SINGAPORE)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK