The move to encourage consumers to use self-checkout machines in supermarkets is timely, given the manpower crunch and the need for workers to move up the employment ladder.

More should be done to encourage the use of these machines.

Perhaps, pamphlets detailing step-by-step instructions could be given out and multi-lingual staff could offer guidance.

Some supermarkets now allow only basket purchases to be paid for at these machines.

If trolleys could be allowed to be wheeled up to these machines, perhaps more people would use these self-checkout systems.

Jairam Amrith