Ease of e-shopping needs to be answered by responsibility
CONSUMERS live in a world of ever-increasing convenience, from food deliveries and ride-hailing apps to next-day shipping and generous e-commerce returns policies. Yet this digitally-enabled lifestyle exacts undeniable real-world costs.
Speedy delivery is made possible not just by mobile apps and real-time tracking, but by workers scrambling for enough assignments to get by. Being able to ship purchases back may benefit savvy shoppers, but results in tonnes of rejected goods.
App-enabled services are often seen as part of the digital future. Yet the labour-intensive foundation on which they are built came into focus this month, when some delivery riders were blindsided by a ban on the personal mobility devices (PMD) which they use.
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
Columns
‘Competition for talent’ a poor excuse to keep key executives’ pay under wraps
OCBC should put its properties into a Reit and distribute the trust’s units to shareholders
Why a stronger US dollar is dangerous
An overstimulated US economy is asking for trouble
Too many property agents? Cap commissions on home sales
Time to study broadening of private market access