This got me thinking:

Yes, it would be cheaper to automate than retaining employees with the wage hike. But what if those machines, namely kiosks, gets broken let's say every other day? And if those are intentionally destroyed, those that did it barely suffer consequences? Then maybe it's cheaper and less stressful for employers to eat the wage hike isn't it?

This is coming from someone living in the country where transportation, appliances, gadgets, etc. almost only receive function maintenance. Meaning, anything goes as long as its primary function still delivers. (i.e. electric fan stops occasionally, but as long as it can blow wind, its ok)

After reading the Babylon bee article it reminded me of this short.