Hawkers Say Bye‑Bye to Digital Vouchers
Picture this: folks tap their phones, scan a QR code, and hope a hawker will happily accept a $100 CDC voucher. But reality? A loud “No!” Mustering a sigh, a hawker in Woodlands just turned a customer away in the middle of a busy lunch rush.
So why the sudden rejection? It’s a digital glitch. The CDC scheme works through a mobile app—you show a QR code, the vendor scans it, and voilà, the voucher is paid. For those little hawkers away from the tech‑savvy norm, it’s like asking a grandma to swipe a credit card.
Meet the Accused Hawker
- Owner: 31‑year‑old Japanese‑Korean food stall in Woodlands
- Staff: Two aunties who’re more comfortable with ladles than laptops
- Challenge: No one’s taught them the digital dance
The hawker confided to Shin Min Daily News that they’ll only accept CDC vouchers if the payment comes in a hard copy. He’s not opposed to getting a tech tutor from the authorities, though—a friendly gesture to get the QR scanning groove on!
When the Vie‑Lose Cash Starts to Fail
A Malay food vendor, lady of the year in her sixties, shared that she’s set to close shop next month. She didn’t want to “cause too much trouble” for herself by wrestling with digital vouchers. In the end, she just couldn’t make the transition.
Authorities Step Up
- People’s Association (PA): Over 90 % of hawkers logged at least one digital voucher transaction.
- Action: PA will dispatch ambassadors to guide hawkers step‑by‑step.
- Quote: “After the demos, many hawkers realised it’s not as complicated as they thought.”
The CDC voucher scheme kicked off on Dec 13 last year, helping businesses and households glide through the Covid‑19 storm.
In the spirit of making cashless payments smoother, keep an eye on the next generation of hawker-friendly tech—because anyone can learn a QR dance if the right tools are handed out!
