Raymond's letter to The Straits Times forum page: Reward food deliverymen with good safety record

My letter to The Straits Times on the above matter is published today, Monday 29^th April 2019.

 

Neo Poh Goon concerns regarding food delivery companies are valid (Food delivery firms need to keep tight rein on deliverymen, April 24).

 

There are far too many accidents on our roads and also on the pavements. 

 

I, too, have had my fair share of scary encounters with speeding delivery riders whizzing past, blatantly disregarding the safety of pedestrians. 

 

Are they to be blamed? 

 

Deliverymen are paid a commission based on the number of deliveries they make. It is the same with tipper trucks and lorry drivers, who deliver material to construction sites and are paid based on the number of trips.

 

Such schemes only encourages deliverymen to speed and disregard traffic rules.

 

Perhaps the food delivery companies could learn from public bus operators.

 

They have an incentive programme in place which awards a special bonus to those who meet a certain criteria, including maintaining a good safety record and having zero complaints made against them. Feedback from passengers on good service are also factored in.

 

Besides ensuring that their food deliverymen comply with traffic rules, food delivery companies could perhaps provide similar incentives for their staff.

 

Raymond Anthony Fernando

 

https://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-in-print/reward-food-deliverymen-with-good-safety-record

 

Raymond's Letter to The Straits Times: Provide refund for recycled bottles and cans

My letter to The Straits Times on the above matter is published today, Monday 22^nd April 2019

Recycling is vital, as waste material has a negative impact on the environment, and undoubtedly reduces the risks of pollution, which can endanger lives.

When consumers purchase bottled or canned drinks or food items, biscuits and chocolates, they are paying for the container as well.



So why not have automated machines to refund the consumer the cost of the bottle or can whenever they return the used container? For example, if a can of Coke Zero costs $1.50, 10 cents can be refunded for a returned used can.

 

In some Western countries, like Germany and America, providing such refunds has encouraged citizens to recycle.

Recycling programmes can also help the needy. In Taiwan, for instance, Buddhist charity Tzu Chi Foundation provides free meals to the mentally ill and encourages them to collect used items such as bottles and cans and place them in allocated recycling bins.

Providing incentives to encourage people to recycle is good, as paying it forward helps to build a far better society.

Raymond Anthony Fernando

https://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-in-print/provide-refund-for-recycled-bottles-and-cans