Sydney bars and restaurants are competing fiercely for staff, with some employers offering baristas an hourly rate of $40 to $50 (US$29 to US$36). The hospitality industry is in desperate need of labour after the New South Wales (NSW) lockdown was lifted. This is because the industry is supported heavily by backpackers on holiday visas and international students, but they are not yet able to return due to border restrictions. A proposal by the NSW opposition and the Restaurant and Catering Association would see a $250 bonus for working 10 days in 30, 3AW radio reported. Wes Lambert, the CEO of Restaurant and Catering Australia, said many businesses have already started giving bonuses to their staff. “We’ve heard of bonuses into the thousands of dollars,” he told 3AW. “We’ve heard of some businesses so desperate [they’re] paying servers, baristas, bartenders up to $40 to $50 per hour.” That adds up to …