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Complaint Singapore Unrestricted/Facebook
Local restaurant chain, Qi Ji, faced a complaint after imposing a 10% festive surcharge for the Chinese New Year period
Published February 1, 2024
SINGAPORE — As Chinese New Year draws near, some businesses in Singapore have started implementing additional surcharges to cover costs incurred during the festive period.
One aggrieved customer, however, took to Facebook to air their grievances on a 10 per cent festive surcharge that a local restaurant had imposed for the Chinese New Year eve and Chinese New Year period of Jan 9 to Jan 12.
On the “Complaint Singapore Unrestricted” Facebook group, the anonymous diner groused: “Qi Ji Singapore go rob better lah! At most don’t eat your food loh! You might as well close for Chinese New Year lah!
“(That is) no big deal, there is better nasi lemak around!”
Qi Ji is a Singapore restaurant chain serving local delights like nasi lemak and popiah, with 14 outlets around the island.
The story is currently trending in Singapore on various social media platforms, with a reach of 193,000 views in the past two days as of Thursday.
Many netizens came to the defence of Qi Ji’s move, citing increase in manpower costs during the festive period and that the workers should deservedly be paid more for work during this period.
Food and beverage (F&B) workers are typically paid double or more of their hourly pay during public holidays to incentivise workers to work.
“I think the (person who posted this) has never worked in F&B before,” one user wrote.
Another user said: “People (the workers) work through the festive season while the majority enjoy the festive holiday…what's wrong with a surcharge?
“Additional monetary incentives beyond regulations will be paid to our service staff for foregoing the festivities,” she further explained.
An online user pointed out that the staff, who are possibly foreign workers, may be sacrificing family time to work: “Have a heart brother, these people have to work during the festive days while you are at home feasting and visiting, just treat it as a Chinese New Year hong bao gesture. They miss home also.”
A few online users observed that it is common practice for restaurants still open during Chinese New Year to have a surcharge and that the move is not exclusive to Qi Ji.
One netizen pointed out that fast food restaurants usually do not apply surcharges during Chinese New Year.
However, another netizen explained that it could be due to the high profit margins of fast food restaurants: “(During) holidays they earn a bit less”.
Qi Ji clarified that it is “genuinely” not the restaurant chain’s intention to “take advantage of the festive period by implementing a 10% Chinese New Year surcharge”.
“We hope that by notifying early, we allow customers to make informed decisions and seek their kind understanding and support,” the spokesperson said.
Citing higher staff wages and ingredient costs, Food Republic and Food Junction also charged a 15% surcharge during last year's Chinese New Year period.
Apart from dining establishments, hair and beauty salons also typically impose a festive surcharge before or during holidays like Chinese New Year and Christmas.
#trending: Netizens defend food chain Qi Ji's move to implement 10% festive surcharge during Chinese New Year
Local restaurant chain, Qi Ji, faced a complaint after imposing a 10% festive surcharge for the Chinese New Year period
- A local restaurant chain, Qi Ji, faced a complaint after imposing a 10 per cent festive surcharge for the Chinese New Year period
- The complaint was shared on Facebook and criticised Qi Ji's move, suggesting patrons opt for alternative dining options
- Despite the criticism, many netizens defended the eatery, citing increased labour costs during the festive season and the need for fair compensation for workers sacrificing holiday time
- Qi Ji clarified that the surcharge was aimed at offsetting higher wages, in line with common industry practices during festive periods
Published February 1, 2024
SINGAPORE — As Chinese New Year draws near, some businesses in Singapore have started implementing additional surcharges to cover costs incurred during the festive period.
One aggrieved customer, however, took to Facebook to air their grievances on a 10 per cent festive surcharge that a local restaurant had imposed for the Chinese New Year eve and Chinese New Year period of Jan 9 to Jan 12.
On the “Complaint Singapore Unrestricted” Facebook group, the anonymous diner groused: “Qi Ji Singapore go rob better lah! At most don’t eat your food loh! You might as well close for Chinese New Year lah!
“(That is) no big deal, there is better nasi lemak around!”
Qi Ji is a Singapore restaurant chain serving local delights like nasi lemak and popiah, with 14 outlets around the island.
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The complaint, posted last Monday (Jan 29), was accompanied by a picture of a flyer that indicated the intended festive surcharge.The story is currently trending in Singapore on various social media platforms, with a reach of 193,000 views in the past two days as of Thursday.
Many netizens came to the defence of Qi Ji’s move, citing increase in manpower costs during the festive period and that the workers should deservedly be paid more for work during this period.
Food and beverage (F&B) workers are typically paid double or more of their hourly pay during public holidays to incentivise workers to work.
“I think the (person who posted this) has never worked in F&B before,” one user wrote.
Another user said: “People (the workers) work through the festive season while the majority enjoy the festive holiday…what's wrong with a surcharge?
Read also
We ate our way through 30 CNY pineapple tart brands — here are the 10 best to try
“Demand is higher as more vendors are closed, eventually the workload is much heavier as there is less staff due to holidays.”Speaking to TODAY, a Qi Ji spokesperson said: “Manpower availability will be significantly reduced over Chinese New Year.
“Additional monetary incentives beyond regulations will be paid to our service staff for foregoing the festivities,” she further explained.
An online user pointed out that the staff, who are possibly foreign workers, may be sacrificing family time to work: “Have a heart brother, these people have to work during the festive days while you are at home feasting and visiting, just treat it as a Chinese New Year hong bao gesture. They miss home also.”
A few online users observed that it is common practice for restaurants still open during Chinese New Year to have a surcharge and that the move is not exclusive to Qi Ji.
One netizen pointed out that fast food restaurants usually do not apply surcharges during Chinese New Year.
However, another netizen explained that it could be due to the high profit margins of fast food restaurants: “(During) holidays they earn a bit less”.
Qi Ji clarified that it is “genuinely” not the restaurant chain’s intention to “take advantage of the festive period by implementing a 10% Chinese New Year surcharge”.
“We hope that by notifying early, we allow customers to make informed decisions and seek their kind understanding and support,” the spokesperson said.
Citing higher staff wages and ingredient costs, Food Republic and Food Junction also charged a 15% surcharge during last year's Chinese New Year period.
Apart from dining establishments, hair and beauty salons also typically impose a festive surcharge before or during holidays like Chinese New Year and Christmas.
