NYC Restaurant Employs Virtual Cashiers from the Philippines

Hahaha.

New York Post:

A new restaurant chain in New York City is outsourcing staff to the Philippines, using screens with virtual hostesses on Zoom calls instead of in-person employees to greet customers and help with check-out.

The shops — which specialize in fried chicken and ramen — are taking advantage of the massive wealth gap between New York City, where the minimum wage is $16 per hour, and a Southeast Asian nation where hourly pay is closer to $3.75.

But when customers check out at Sansan Chicken, Sansan Ramen or Yaso Kitchen — with locations in Manhattan, Queens and Jersey City — they’re still prompted to add a tip of up to 18% on top of their bill.

On a recent afternoon at Sansan Chicken in Long Island City, a reporter for The Post was greeted by Pie, a 33-year-old virtual hostess who works from her living room in the Philippine city of Subic.

The cheerful remote worker said she is employed by a company called Happy Cashier and that she enjoys her work.

Pie declined to disclose how much she was paid, but said customers sometimes leave generous tips despite the fact that she’s not actually there in person.

Once, she got $40 at Yaso Kitchen in Jersey City, she said — adding that she splits tips with her manager and kitchen staff at the restaurant.

It’s only confusing why it would be legal if you think the law is there for your benefit. I don’t think anyone thinks that anymore. You’d have to be a total retard.