China responds to Singapore's Chinese bus driver arrests

English.news.cn   2012-11-30 21:07:16

BEIJING, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- China on Friday called on Singapore to properly deal with the case of Chinese bus drivers arrested following a strike.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks at a daily news briefing when asked to comment on the arrest of four Chinese bus drivers employed by Singapore's public transport company on suspicion of instigating an "illegal strike."

China calls on the Singaporean side to take Chinese workers' specific conditions and legitimate appeals into full consideration, discreetly and properly handle the case, and substantially protect the lawful rights of the arrested Chinese workers, Hong said.

The spokesman said the Chinese Foreign Ministry and Chinese Embassy in Singapore have paid great attention to the case and maintained close contact with the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Manpower and the police authorities of Singapore.

According to news reports, four Chinese bus drivers who worked for the state-linked transport group SMRT Buses Ltd were arrested by police on Wednesday and Thursday on suspicion of instigating an "illegal strike."

They were taken to court on Thursday, one day after Chinese drivers at SMRT ended a two-day work stoppage aimed at securing better pay.

Some 171 Chinese bus drivers asked for sick leave together on Monday in protest at being paid nearly a quarter less than Malaysian bus drivers who work for the same transport company.

Hong said the Chinese embassy sent a consular official to attend the first court hearing.

He added that the Foreign Ministry and the embassy will continue to closely follow the situation and maintain contact with the Singaporean side so as to seek a proper solution of the case.

URL: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-11/30/c_132011061.htm

Singapore bus driver strike makes world new

Yahoo News

By Fann Sim | Yahoo! Newsroom – Fri, Nov 30, 2012

• 
  The strike by Chinese SMRT bus drivers has made news worldwide. (AFP Photo)

This week’s strike involving  171 SMRT bus drivers in Singapore has gone around the world and has been picked up by international media.

The strike came about after a Chinese bus driver wrote a post on Chinese social media site Baidu asking other Chinese bus drivers to join him in a labour strike, a first in 26 years for Singapore. Their main concerns: unfair wages and poor living conditions. Four of the drivers have since been charged for inciting the illegal strike.

Wall Street Journal reported, “Some Singaporeans say foreign-born workers take jobs, depress lower-end salaries, push up property prices and put strains on infrastructure, especially Singapore's crowded subways. But foreign workers performing low-skill tasks are a crucial part of the economy, particularly with many new developments and transport links being built every year. Tensions have been fanned by incidents including a deadly car crash in May caused by a Chinese national in a speeding Ferrari and the assault of a local taxi driver by several expatriates in 2010.”

Bloomberg said, “Singapore moved swiftly to quell the rare public display of labour discord this week, reinforcing a decades-old focus on avoiding what the government calls “adversarial and confrontational” industrial relations.”

The Economist picked up on local media's reluctance to use the word "strike" and said, "... the Straits Times, a pro-government daily, termed it an “action”, “protest”, “episode” and “wage dispute”."

“After dozens of drivers stayed away from work for a second day, the front-page headline on November 28th was: ‘Govt moves against illegal strike’,” the Economist wrote.

Local mainstream media, including Channel NewsAsia and The Straits Times, also took pains to explain why the use of the word “strike” was avoided

Blogger mrbrown called the agencies out and said, “Maybe they must double confirm first. Maybe it’s not a “strike” but an “unhappy gathering”.

Syndicated content from Associated Press and Reuters were also picked up and republished on other foreign news agencies.

The last legal strike was in 1986, involving the Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Employees Union and Hydril Pte., and the most recent illegal one concerned airline pilots in 1980, Bloomberg reported.

Under Singapore law, strikes are illegal for workers in essential services, such as healthcare and public transport, unless they give employers 14 days’ of notice.

SMRT to have Chinese representative in each dorm

Straits Times, Published on Nov 30, 2012

By Poon Chian Hui

 

Mr Desmond Kuek discussing with Mr Goh and another Chinese SL in a third dormitory room housekeeping improvements that can be made. SMRT is open to the idea of nominating bus drivers from China in each of the dormitories to represent their fellow countrymen and colleagues to provide feedback to its management, said Mr Desmond Kuek. -- PHOTO: SMRT

SMRT is open to the idea of nominating bus drivers from China in each of the dormitories to represent their fellow countrymen and colleagues to provide feedback to its management, said the company's chief executive Desmond Kuek.

Mr Kuek, who made his first appearance on Friday since returning from leave, gave this update in his first comments on the strike earlier this week.

Following a visit to the workers' dorms at Serangoon in the morning, he noted that the conditions of the dorms could "certainly be better".

During the visit, he spoke to some of the bus service leaders to learn more about their concerns. This was followed by a trip to the Ang Mo Kio bus depot to monitor the bus operations there.

He said that the transport operator is managing the morale of the other drivers after news of the four arrests broke out.

"It is unfortunate that this incident has happened. It shows that more needs to be done by the management to proactively manage and engage our service leaders."

But despite the tumultuous turn of events, the drivers have given the assurance that they will continue to be devoted to their duties, added Mr Kuek.

WP statement on bus drivers’ strike: SMRT must address workers’ grievances better

From Workers' Party website:

The Workers’ Party has been following with great concern the unfolding events surrounding the strike by SMRT bus drivers on 26-27 November 2012. As a result of the strike, some bus services were disrupted and commuters suffered inconveniences on our already-crowded public transport network.

This is the first strike in Singapore in more than 25 years. We are disappointed that it took a strike to bring to the forefront the bus drivers’ grievances about their pay and living conditions. We believe that workers’ rights to engage in industrial action (including strikes) must only be done within the bounds of the law. Strikes should be – and usually are – a measure of last resort by workers who have exhausted all other avenues to persuade management to address their concerns.

This strike signals a failure in the labour dispute settlement process within SMRT. By its own admission, the SMRT management needs to improve the way it engages its bus drivers. While much attention this week has focused on the grievances of the bus drivers from China, SMRT must address legitimate concerns that have been raised by all its bus drivers since the recent revision of salaries and work hours. We urge SMRT to keep its commitment to improve working conditions for all its workers and ensure channels of communication between workers and management remain open.

It is in Singapore’s interests, and in line with our nation’s values, that all workers are treated fairly, so that they are motivated to perform their jobs with excellence. This is especially so for workers providing essential public services as it affects not just the local public but also Singapore’s international reputation.

As the cases of four SMRT bus drivers who have been charged with instigating the illegal strike are now before the courts, it would not be appropriate to comment on these specific cases. Our MPs will be asking the Government questions on this issue during the next sitting of Parliament.

THE WORKERS’ PARTY
30 November 2012

Angry netizens in China urge compatriots to return home

Straits Times, Published on Nov 30, 2012
By Kor Kian Beng China Correspondent

BEIJING - Come home, where there is no discrimination. Come home, so Singapore will feel the pain of not having enough foreign workers.

These are among the hardest- hitting comments left by Chinese netizens in reaction to news that four of their compatriots are facing criminal action for organising an illegal strike in Singapore on Monday.

The quartet - He Jun Ling, 32, Gao Yue Qiang, 32, Liu Xiangying, 33, and Wang Xianjie, 39, all SMRT bus drivers - were charged in court yesterday.

On Sina Weibo, China's version of Twitter, netizen "piggywiggy" said it was clear that Chinese bus drivers were unfairly treated, and claimed that even her Singaporean husband is peeved by it.

She wrote: "It is the first time I hear about wage difference split three ways based on Singaporean, foreign and Chinese nationalities.

"Now they are accused of holding an illegal strike. The Chinese are so pitiful to be treated like this. Just come home!"

Another, "gazhige", said: "All Chinese nationals should come back, and let Singapore go bust!"

But some of the more than 20 Weibo comments also noted that foreigners have to observe laws in Singapore, though one urged the SMRT to improve its management skills.

"Charging four bus drivers in court won't solve the problem," added netizen "buruoxingcheng".

But the reaction yesterday was more muted than Monday's when news of the strike broke and over 1,000 comments were left on Sina Weibo and rival Tencent.

Similarly, most Chinese websites yesterday carried only reports from the official Xinhua news agency.

The Chinese netizens' reactions mirror those displayed by their countrymen in Singapore.

On the SgChinese forum website popular with Singapore-based Chinese, most of the 300-plus remarks were critical of the Republic's Government and SMRT. Still, some said action should be taken against the quartet. "Punishment is necessary in this case, from the perspective of maintaining social stability," said user "Xiao Seng Bu Xiu Xing".

Another, "2stunden", wrote: "History will tell if the four were heroes or trouble-makers."

Additional reporting by Jason Ou in Singapore

China calls for proper handling

Straits Times, Published on Nov 30, 2012
 

CHINA's Ministry of Commerce yesterday urged proper handling of the no-show protest by Chinese bus drivers in Singapore and called for protecting the legal rights and interests of Chinese nationals working overseas, Xinhua reported yesterday.

A statement quoted an unnamed official as saying the ministry is concerned, and hopes all parties respond to the legitimate demands for equal pay and treatment. The government has always required Chinese nationals working under contracts overseas to follow local laws and regulations and express their needs through normal channels, said the official.

Separately, the Chinese embassy in Singapore said it was concerned about the charging of four drivers. It has expressed its concern to the authorities and asked that consular visits to the drivers be arranged as soon as possible. It also hoped the drivers' legal rights will be safeguarded adequately.

SMRT's union culture 'not as evident'

Straits Times, Published on Nov 30, 2012

By Tessa Wong

NTWU deputy executive secretary Desmond Choo (left) talking to the press with executive secretary Ong Chin Ang on Tuesday, when 88 Chinese national SMRT drivers did not show up for work. -- ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

A CULTURE of joining unions is not as evident in SMRT as in SBS Transit, the deputy executive secretary of the National Transport Workers' Union (NTWU), Mr Desmond Choo, said yesterday.

That could have been one contributing factor in the illegal strike of 171 China-born SMRT bus drivers earlier this week.

The NTUC said on Wednesday that "the majority of People's Republic of China (PRC) bus drivers at SBS Transit are union members, whereas the majority of foreign drivers in SMRT have not joined the union."

Union sources said only 10 per cent of SMRT's China-born drivers are union members.

Asked about the contrast, Mr Choo said: "The culture of joining the union must be there, for example in SBS Transit, everyone comes and says, let's join. The fellow workers will also encourage you to join.

"That might not be evident on the other side. Of course, we would also encourage management to get all their workers from all nationalities to join the union, from SMRT."

Mr Choo, who helped to mediate the strike, spoke to The Straits Times together with Migrant Workers Centre (MWC) chairman Yeo Guat Kwang.

Both gave other reasons for foreign workers not joining unions. These include their lack of awareness of the benefits. Some also work for only a short period of time here on a contract basis and see no point in joining a union.

Another reason is their belief that the Manpower Ministry and organisations such as MWC can adequately help them. Still others have the impression that foreigners are not allowed to join Singapore unions, or were told by their employment agents not to do so.

Mr Choo said unionists usually work with a company's human resource unit to promote unionisation. They also visit workplaces to explain the benefits of unionisation to workers. SMRT has allowed unionists to visit bus depots to talk to its workers. "But of course, I think having the good culture of being able to explain the benefits and engaging them, I think those could be enhanced."

The NTWU has 19,000 members, of whom a quarter are foreigners. Of the 1.16 million foreign workers here, only 12 per cent or 140,000 are unionised. By contrast, about 27 per cent or 560,000 of 2.08 million local workers are union members.

The NTWU will do more to explain the benefits of unionisation to foreigners. Mr Yeo added that MWC will step up efforts to educate them on labour laws.

MWC will set up two more centres soon, adding to its existing Rangoon Road headquarters, and is looking into setting up a dormitory operators' association. It expects many operators to agree to voluntary guidelines. More details will be announced next month.

Tackle workers' concerns fast: MOM

Straits Times, Published on Nov 30, 2012
By Royston Sim And Maria Almenoar

 

CONCERNS raised by bus operator SMRT's workers must be treated as a priority and addressed quickly, stressed the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) yesterday.

In a strongly worded statement that came in response to media queries, it reiterated that SMRT needed to move swiftly to tackle the "labour and contractual grievances" raised by its drivers.

It emphasised that SMRT, an essential service provider, must use lessons identified from this week's strike to "thoroughly review and improve its HR and management practices".

The operator must ensure lines of communication are kept open and that it has proper grievance- handling procedures.

SMRT also has to work more closely with the union to tackle outstanding issues, said MOM. It added that its labour relations officers have been in close contact with SMRT's human resource department and senior management since Monday, when 171 bus drivers from China went on strike.

The ministry also said it has inspected the dormitories where the drivers are housed. They had complained of poor conditions.

The ministry said the rooms were not overcrowded but noted a bedbug problem in some rooms.
It also said that general housekeeping conditions of the drivers' rooms were below par compared to other rooms in the dormitories.

One common grouse of drivers was that those on different shifts are grouped together, making it difficult for them to get a good rest, MOM said.

Posting on Facebook last night, Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin said: "Even as we take a firm position on this, it is important that we remain circumspect and not generalise unfairly."

Many drivers, local or foreign, continue to carry out their responsibilities diligently, he wrote.

In a separate statement, SMRT spelt out the measures it is taking to improve its drivers' well-being. Its management and staff, including executive vice-president for commercial and roads Teo Chew Hoon, met more than 130 drivers from China at two townhall sessions yesterday afternoon.

Addressing concerns raised on living conditions at dormitories in Woodlands, Serangoon and Tampines, SMRT said it is making repairs to defects and fittings. It has arranged for fumigation for rooms with bedbug complaints.

SMRT will arrange alternative accommodation for drivers at HDB flats or apartments islandwide when dorm leases expire from early next year. It noted a large number of China drivers wanted to move out of the dorms.

A 24-hour hotline and a team of liaison officers have been set up for drivers from China to get help or provide feedback on work and living conditions, said SMRT.

It is reviewing pay concerns raised and will share its decision with the China drivers next week.
Transient Workers Count Too president Russell Heng said the issue of how long workers had to wait for their grievances to be addressed was a key concern.

Driver accused of incitement through post on Baidu website

Straits Times, Published on Nov 30, 2012
 

-- ST PHOTO: CAROLINE CHIA

HE JUN Ling (right), 32, was one of four SMRT bus drivers from China charged in court yesterday for engaging in a conspiracy to instigate drivers to go on strike.

He faced a second charge of inciting drivers to take part in a strike by making a post on the Chinese Baidu website.

It was titled "The insults and humiliations suffered by Singapore drivers (SMRT) (Where is the dignity of the People's Republic of China bus drivers)". He used the pseudonym "free world go".

The post is about 10 paragraphs long. Among other things, he asked his compatriots if they felt that their dignity had been trampled on.

He complained about how Chinese and Malaysian drivers have different pay. He said SMRT's management either did not know about requests made by the Chinese drivers or chose to ignore them as it could easily hire other drivers from China.

Court papers cited the statements below (translated):

a) "But why don't we think of it the other way round, if a few hundred Chinese nationals take the lead, I am afraid the management of SMRT will be fired instead, not that we do not know the traffic situation in Singapore, a few hundred bus drivers do not report for work for a few days, there will be public outcry in Singapore, Lianhe Zaobao, My Paper and the English papers will all wait on us, trying to find out the reason(s) for the action. Land Transport Authority will have to start questioning SMRT."

b) "Rational and hot-blooded fellow workers have to take action! Let's go on MC together tomorrow 26, Monday and 27, Tuesday. We have to depend on ourselves for our dignity and interest, MC (whether paid or not paid) is nothing compared to your own interest, just tens of dollars isn't? When it comes to fighting for our dignity it is far more important than tens of dollars. Please relay the message to as many as possible, not afraid of traitor(s), Monday morning at the entrance to hostels at Ang Mo Kio and Woodlands please inform those who are not aware, insist not to board the company transport. Boycott and despise those who are not taking any action, they will suffer guilty conscience. It concerns the interest of everybody, everyone should take part."

ROYSTON SIM

Colleagues surprised at charges

They say the four accused meant well; subdued mood in dorms
Straits Times, Published on Nov 30, 2012
By Jermyn Chow, Joyce Lim And Royston Sim

Bus drivers from China at the Woodlands Dormitory heading off to answer questions from SMRT senior management yesterday morning. -- ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

THE mood among the bus drivers from China staying at the Woodlands and Serangoon dormitories was subdued last night, as news that four of their colleagues had been charged in court sank in.

 

At the Woodlands dormitory, where the illegal strike took place on Monday and Tuesday, most said they were surprised by the arrest and charges slapped on their fellow countrymen.

They said the four men, accused of instigating fellow drivers to take part in an illegal strike, meant well. But it might not have been right for the drivers to go on strike, they added.

Still, the men should not have been charged, said a fellow driver who has been with SMRT for five years and spoke on condition of anonymity. "They were just asking for better pay and living conditions. Do they deserve such a serious punishment?"

Another driver in his 30s said: "It is not fair! It was a peaceful protest and they did not cause any trouble. Why over-react?"

But one driver agreed that the four men, who allegedly instigated 171 drivers to strike on Monday, had to be punished. "They may have had good intentions but they broke the law and had to be punished... we can't do much about it," said the woman driver.

It is understood that SMRT has forbidden the Chinese drivers from talking to the media.

Security was also beefed up at Woodlands, with more guards on duty to keep reporters and trespassers out of the compound.

But in the evening, three Chinese Embassy officials visited the dormitory, where they were said to have met the drivers and toured their living quarters. The officials, who stayed for two hours, were accompanied by a representative of Averic Capital Management, the facilities management company that runs the Woodlands dormitory.

The embassy officials declined to speak to the media.

Earlier yesterday, three pest control officers spent four hours fumigating the 33 rooms spread across five to six blocks occupied by the drivers. When interviewed, one of the pest-busters told The Straits Times: "It was not as dirty as we had expected, nothing out of the ordinary."

At the Serangoon dormitory, some drivers expressed disbelief and anger over the news that the four drivers had been charged.

Said a 35-year-old who called himself Mr Wang: "Nobody told us about the law in Singapore... They just wanted to negotiate, but they did it the wrong way. If they had known what they did was against the law, I am sure they wouldn't have done it."

Another driver said some drivers had taken part due to peer pressure, but no one had expected things to take such a serious turn.

A driver who wanted to be know only as Mr Tan said: "I was very angry when I heard the news today. This is so unfair. I know we are contract workers, but we are also human. We just hope to be treated better.

"How could you throw us in jail for taking medical leave? How could you call it an illegal strike when they had medical certificates?"

 

Four SMRT bus drivers charged over strike

One of the four is also charged over inciting workers with Web post

Straits Times, Published on Nov 30, 2012 

 By Maria Almenoar And Royston Sim

 

SMRT drivers He Jun Ling (above), Gao Yue Qiang, Liu Xiangying and Wang Xianjie were charged under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act. If found guilty, they face a fine of up to $2,000, a jail term of up to a year and/or both. They are also being charged under Section 109 of the Penal Code for abetting the instigation offence. He faces another charge of inciting workers to strike in relation to a statement he posted on Chinese website Baidu. PHOTOS: CAROLINE CHIA, LIANHE ZAOBAO, SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS

SMRT driver Gao Yue Qiang (above)

SMRT driver (above)

SMRT driver (above)

FOUR SMRT bus drivers from China were yesterday charged with instigating this week's illegal strike, resulting in bus services being affected on Monday and Tuesday.

He Jun Ling, 32, Gao Yue Qiang, 32, Liu Xiangying, 33, and Wang Xianjie, 39, appeared in the Subordinate Court at 6.15pm.

They looked ahead without expression as a translator read out the charges to them. It is believed they had come from the Police Cantonment Complex where they had been interrogated.

The drivers will be held in remand for a week for further investigations and will appear in court again on Dec 6.

Two Chinese embassy officials observed the proceedings but refused to comment.

The drivers were charged under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act which states that anyone who instigates and incites others to take part in a strike or lock-out shall be guilty of an offence. The Act covers strikes of workers from essential services, including public transport.

If found guilty, the four face a fine of up to $2,000, a jail term of up to a year and/or both.

They are also being charged under Section 109 of the Penal Code for abetting the instigation offence.
In addition, He faces another charge of inciting workers to strike in relation to a statement he posted on Chinese website Baidu.

The post, which went up between 10am and noon on Sunday, called on "rational and hot-blooded fellow workers" to "take action... let's go on MC together" on Monday and Tuesday.

On Tuesday, He - from Henan province - identified himself as a spokesman for the drivers and spoke to reporters at the Woodlands dormitory where he stayed.

In what was Singapore's first strike since 1986, 171 bus drivers from China refused to go to work on Monday in protest against what they saw as low wages compared to Malaysian drivers', and poor living conditions. On Tuesday, 88 did not turn up.

Asked if more arrests would be made, a spokesman for the Attorney-General's Chambers said it depends on police investigations.

Twenty drivers have been called in for questioning since Wednesday.

The Straits Times understands that some drivers may be deported and SMRT may also suspend drivers from duty, pending its internal investigation. If they are found to have breached company rules, their contracts will be terminated.

Minister of State for Manpower Amy Khor last night said she "welcomed the swift action of the police" and urged SMRT to review its human resource policies.

Minister of State for Transport Josephine Teo and Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport chairman Cedric Foo both said it was "unfortunate" some drivers have been charged, but said laws have to be applied consistently and universally.

Said Mr Foo: "We don't want to go the way of some countries, where essential services are being held while workers make unreasonable demands. In the end, society pays the price."

Xinhua reported the Chinese Ministry of Commerce as calling for the legal rights and interests of Chinese nationals working overseas to be protected.

Foreign labour in Singapore - One strike and you're out

The Economist, Nov 29th 2012, 2:16 by Banyan | SINGAPORE 

SO RARE is industrial action in Singapore that the government and press seem to be hazy about the vocabulary. When 171 bus drivers employed by SMRT, a government-owned firm, refused to go to work on November 26th and staged a sit-in at their dormitory, the Straits Times, a pro-government daily, termed it an “action”, “protest”, “episode” and “wage dispute”. Only later was the “s” word dragged out of the dictionary. After dozens of drivers stayed away from work for a second day, the front-page headline on November 28th was: “Govt moves against illegal strike.”

“Mr Brown”, a local blogger, noticing the reluctance to call a stoppage a strike, asked his Twitter followers for suggestions for other options. Among the ideas were “unhappy gathering”, “disgruntled sit-in” and, in a dig at the government’s  much-touted effort to reconnect with its people, “the national bus drivers’ conversation”.

Yet the reticence was understandable for at least three reasons. First, “strike” is a technical term for a form of protest that, for those in “essential services”, such as public transport, is illegal unless 14 days' advance notice is given. Second, and presumably for that reason, strikes are extremely rare in Singapore. The Straits Times reckoned this was the first since 1986, and that was a legal one. The last “illegal” strike was in 1980.

Third, the strikers were mainland-Chinese workers, whose grievance was that they were paid less than other foreign drivers, such as Malaysians. Company spokesmen were quoted as saying this is because the Chinese receive other benefits, such as dormitory accommodation. Another complaint, however, is about the quality of the dormitories. The government may have wanted to restrain popular resentment against Chinese immigrants, in this case for whingeing and refusing to accept Singapore’s orderly laws and customs.

Many bus drivers in Singapore are mainland Chinese—more than 1,000 out of a total of 7,300—and, to this random passenger, many seem extremely grumpy. Understandably so, perhaps. But they are unlikely to find much sympathy for their wage-dispute episode. Singapore’s acting minister of manpower, Tan Chuan-jin, offered “zero tolerance for such unlawful action”.

Many Singapore residents resent the influx in recent years of mainland Chinese. Much criticism is directed at the allegedly boorish behaviour of well-off Chinese flaunting their wealth in Singapore. But, at the other end of the social scale, poor workers blame Chinese-immigrant competition for depressing wages.

The Chinese embassy in Singapore offered limited sympathy for its protesting citizens, but stressed they had to follow local laws, and reportedly intervened to help bring the strike to a close after just two days.

Singapore now relies on importing labour on a large scale from China and elsewhere. But it also prides itself on its almost immaculate record of labour discipline, as part of its appeal to global investors. The strikers are unlikely to find their transgression forgotten, let alone forgiven.

Update: Not long after this post was published on November 29th, the Singapore police reported the arrest of four Chinese nationals for their alleged role in the strike.
(Picture credit: Mr Brown)

Police call in 20 SMRT bus drivers;

All services back to normal as two-day strike comes to an end 
The Straits Times (Singapore) November 29, 2012 Thursday

BYLINE: maria almenoar transport correspondent 
SECTION: TOP OF THE NEWS



ALL SMRT bus services were running as scheduled yesterday after two days of disruption resulting from illegal strike action by some bus drivers from China. 


The company said all 450 of its Chinese drivers were accounted for, unlike on Monday when 171 did not work, and on Tuesday when 88 stayed away.


Yesterday morning, 20 drivers were at Police Cantonment Complex to help with police investigations into possible breaches of the law as a result of the illegal strike.


They were among the drivers who did not go to work on both days. The Straits Times understands that all 20 drivers were still there at midnight.


Meanwhile, SMRT conceded that it had fallen short on addressing the drivers' complaints about living conditions and pay. It promised to clean and fix two workers' dormitories in Serangoon and Woodlands, and is looking at providing better accommodation.


But it maintained that the wages of its Chinese workers, though lower than what it pays Malaysian drivers, are competitive and spelt out clearly in their contracts.


SMRT's first media briefing on this week's dramatic events was led by executive vice-president for roads and commercial Teo Chew Hoon, as chief executive Desmond Kuek is on leave overseas.


"There are many lessons learnt, one of which is to better engage our bus drivers," she said.


"We could have engaged them and explained to them the difference in the salaries."


Ms Teo said the dormitories will be fumigated to get rid of bed bugs and damaged fixtures will be fixed. She said the company could have been swifter in dealing with the workers' complaints. 


Better accommodation in the form of rented Housing Board flats or apartments is also in the pipeline for the drivers. 


This is something SMRT had been considering, and is likely to implement when its leases for the dormitories expire early next year.

SMRT also revealed how it paid its foreign bus drivers from China and Malaysia differently.


Malaysians are hired on a permanent basis and their basic pay of $1,200 went up to $1,350 in July and again to $1,400 last month in an ongoing salary review. They also receive a 13th month bonus of $1,400 and a variable annual wage supplement.


The Chinese nationals, on the other hand, are hired on two-year contracts. Their basic pay went up from $1,000 to $1,075 in July. They get a bonus of two months' pay at the end of their contract.


SMRT said although the Chinese workers get less, the company pays $275 each to cover their accommodation and utilities.


Ms Teo said SMRT gave these workers a $75 increase in July even though it was not bound to do so in their contracts. A second $25 increase was finalised just last week. The drivers complained about pay around July when wages were first adjusted.


While SMRT has not ruled out putting Chinese nationals on permanent contracts in future, Ms Teo said its terms for Chinese and Malaysian drivers were equitable.


Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport chairman Cedric Foo said the Manpower Ministry should consider auditing living conditions of these workers. He said: "Safe and conducive living conditions are a very basic standard of due care that all employers should comply with."


He also encouraged more Chinese drivers to join the National Transport Workers' Union as it can act as a middleman when facilitating negotiations.


Although the majority of bus drivers from China at SBS Transit are union members, only 10 per cent of SMRT's drivers from China have joined the union.


Additional reporting by Royston Sim

SMRT dormitories' housekeeping "below par" but not over-crowded: MOM

CNA, Posted: 29 November 2012 2224 hrs 

SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said in a statement on Thursday that SMRT dormitories were within allowed occupancy limits but had "below par" housekeeping conditions.

MOM revealed in the statement that its Housing Enforcement Branch officers visited the SMRT dormitories where its China bus drivers are housed on Wednesday.

The ministry said the dormitories were not overcrowded as they were within allowed occupancy limits.

Its officers also found bed bug problems in some of the rooms occupied by the SMRT drivers, adding that "occupants of each room are responsible for their own hygiene".

MOM also said its officers observed that rooms occupied by the SMRT drivers had "below par" general housekeeping conditions compared to other rooms in the dormitories.

They also noted that that many SMRT drivers had problems with room allocation; drivers on different shifts were placed in the same room, making it difficult for them to get a good rest.

The ministry said it shared the findings of the inspection with SMRT management on Thursday, and that the transport operator has indicated it would improve the bus drivers' living conditions as soon as possible.

MOM said it has also reiterated to SMRT that labour and contractual grievances raised by the workers should be a priority and addressed quickly.

It also called on SMRT to work more closely with the union to resolve outstanding issues.

Separately, SMRT held its first townhall session with its drivers from China on Thursday morning.

There was another session on Thursday afternoon.

The transport operator told its drivers at the sessions that it has set up a 24-hour hotline for drivers to call if they have concerns or grievances.

They have also appointed liaison officers who can speak Mandarin to deal directly with the drivers, said SMRT.

Drivers can approach these liaison officers in addition to their supervisors.

SMRT also assured its drivers that it would continue to work closely with dormitory operators to ensure dormitories are kept in good condition.

Channel NewsAsia understands that 400 bus drivers attended the townhall sessions.

- CNA/jc


URL: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1240180/1/.html

One dead, another injured in work accident

Straits Times, Published on Nov 29, 2012
 

The Indian and his colleague from China were trying to clear a blockage in a refuse chute at the site in Ubi Road 1 when it came apart and hit the crane they were standing on. -- ST PHOTO: THAM YUEN-C

A FOREIGN worker was killed yesterday when a refuse chute broke apart and crashed onto him at a building site.

The Indian national in his 20s was left dangling by his safety harness two storeys above the ground after being knocked off the crane he was standing on.

His colleague from China was also seriously injured.

The workers were trying to clear a blockage in the chute, which was made up of large, plastic cylinders attached to the outside of the building in Ubi Road 1.

But it came apart just before 10am as they tried to loosen the construction materials inside, said a spokesman for the Manpower Ministry.

Sections of it came crashing down onto the boom lift that the pair were standing on.

The Indian worker, who is believed to have been working in Singapore for only about two or three months, was knocked off the crane. However, he did not fall to the ground but was left dangling by his safety harness.

"We don't know whether he hit the lift or the building, but he was hanging there for quite long," said construction worker K. Hussin.

The 37-year-old, who is also from India, arrived at the site shortly after the accident.

He said a loud crack was heard seconds before the chute fell apart.

A Singapore Civil Defence Force spokesman said the worker was pronounced dead when paramedics arrived at the scene at about 10am.

The Chinese national was knocked unconscious by the debris but did not fall from the lift bucket.

He was taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital with multiple injuries, and was in serious condition last night.

After the accident, the ministry ordered the contractors at the Sanchoon Builders worksite to stop using the boom lift.

Officers from the Occupational Safety and Health Inspectorate are investigating the accident.

THAM YUEN-C

Do more for workers, say opposition parties

Straits Times, Published on Nov 29, 2012
 

OPPOSITION parties have weighed in on the strike by SMRT bus drivers, calling for more to be done to protect workers.

They also criticised the Government for its labour and wage policies, and called on it to improve relations between employers and employees.

Non-Constituency MP Lina Chiam, chairman of the Singapore People's Party, said Singapore had to address "new sentiments" in industrial relations, and called for labour laws to be relooked.

She also urged the Government to look at reducing what she called an over-dependence on low-wage foreign workers across all sectors.

"By ensuring more decent wages for workers, jobs such as driving buses can then be filled by less disgruntled workers who can perform better, regardless of which country they are from."

The Singapore Democratic Party took a harder line, highlighting the rising wage gap and calling for wage levels to be boosted by introducing a minimum wage.

The National Solidarity Party, meanwhile, focused on the "vulnerability" of public transport operators, and said there should be more private operators. It also stressed that foreign workers should not be mistreated.

Wrong to go on strike, say S'poreans

Straits Times, Published on Nov 29, 2012


THE bus drivers should not have gone on strike as it could have repercussions on an essential public service - but Singaporeans are still empathetic towards their plight, a survey found yesterday.

A straw poll of 30 people by The Straits Times revealed that many believed it was a job Singaporeans would not do.

However, with better communication between management and employees, the problem could have been avoided.

Said Mr Ong Wey Shi, 29, who is self-employed: "There's always room for negotiation in a lawful manner. What they did is tantamount to going Awol (absent without official leave).

"If they were Singaporean, they would probably have been dismissed."

Ms Yeo Puay Lin, 39, an associate director at a bank, said: "Strikes seem rather oldfashioned. It is good that they tried to get attention, but it couldn't have been that difficult to find other means."

But others speculated that there might be an underlying lack of awareness of proper communication channels, resulting in them feeling like they have been pushed into a corner.

"This was possibly a measure of last resort as they felt they had nobody else to approach," said IT engineer Winston Tan, 34.

"But with that said, being employed in Singapore, they should be mindful of local laws."

Property agent Linda Thong, 49, said: "Their culture is different and this is how they express unhappiness. They don't know how else to express it."

Many also said the pay differential should be based on meritocracy rather than by nationality, with additional subsidies for accommodation and food made clear.

The respondents said such factors may include their qualifications, productivity, experience and command of English to motivate them to continually upgrade themselves.

Although the incident has been a flashpoint for online vitriol, the sentiments on the ground appear to be more moderate. Said Ms Yeo: "It is usually just a vocal minority online who are hiding behind the wall of anonymity."

Said 16-year-old April Tan, who has just completed her O levels: "In the first place, the PRCs are doing these jobs because Singaporeans don't want to. We should be more accepting of them coming to do jobs we don't want and accept them because they do jobs we deem not worthy."

Bank manager Louis Ong, 32, summed up: "Human resources are a significant cost. Will Singaporeans be able to accept a rise in transport costs?"

WALTER SIM

Unhappiness may be over SBS comparisons

Straits Times, Published on Nov 29, 2012
By Maria Almenoar Transport Correspondent

THE SMRT bus drivers who went on strike on Monday and Tuesday had two main grouses: pay and living conditions.  

 

The Chinese nationals took issue with their pay being less than that of Malaysian bus drivers in the same company.

SMRT said yesterday its bus drivers from China get $1,075 a month, while those from Malaysia get $1,400 - a difference of $325.

The Chinese workers are housed by the company and dormitory fees come up to $275 monthly for each worker.

Malaysian drivers do not need lodging as they make the daily commute across the Causeway.
The pay differentiation ultimately comes down to $50.

Labour experts said that while entry-level SMRT drivers from China were not far off in terms of the wages of their Malaysian peers, it was the total package and experience they reacted to.

While monthly wages are almost similar, taking into account accommodation, the Chinese drivers' contract terms mean they do not get a bonus or special increments.

They get a month's salary and an ex-gratia payout of another month if they complete their two-year contract.

Some of the unhappiness, labour experts said, was likely to have stemmed from their comparisons with drivers from rival company SBS Transit, who have preferred living conditions.

SBS houses its Chinese nationals in rented Housing Board flats with two to three to a room. This is to let the workers integrate with the community and give them easy access to amenities.

As for SMRT drivers, they are housed in dormitories in Woodlands and Serangoon.

They have claimed that their dormitory rooms are overcrowded with 10 to 12 workers sleeping in bunk beds. Some of the beds are infested with bedbugs, they said.

Drivers from different shifts are also housed together, making it difficult for them to get proper rest as colleagues come and go.

The Chinese drivers said the dormitories, which house about 400 units, are noisy with dozens of men sharing communal facilities like kitchens and toilets.
They said it is also difficult to communicate with foreign workers of other nationalities there.

Transient Workers Count Too vice-president Noorashikin Abdul Rahman said: "They think they are paid very little and worse still, they are living under bad conditions.

"They would have put up with bad living conditions if they could get better returns. But it is now the breaking point. It's not so much just a $55 difference but it is all the problems compounded."

The Straits Times understands that the entry-level pay of a bus driver from China at SBS is slightly lower than SMRT's, at $1,025. Its Malaysian drivers get an entry-level pay of $1,300.

The market rate for the rental of an HDB flat is about $340 a person per month.

Additional reporting by Jermyn Chow
 

Pay difference due to lodging and hiring costs

Straits Times, Published on Nov 29, 2012
By Jermyn Chow

FOREIGN workers tend to earn less than Singaporeans and Malaysians in the same industry due to recruitment and lodging costs involved, employers said yesterday.

To maintain industrial harmony, the reasons for the pay differences must be explained clearly to the foreigners, they added.

Wage differentiation was the main reason behind the illegal strike of China-sourced SMRT bus drivers earlier this week.

They were unhappy that Malaysians received bigger pay increments and higher pay, although they all performed the same job.

Most employers interviewed said the Chinese drivers should not be comparing their pay with Malaysians.

Malaysians are considered a "traditional" source of foreign workers, unlike "non-traditional" sources from countries such as India and China.

Among other things, employers of Malaysian workers do not have to post a $5,000 security bond to employ them here.

Foreign workers cannot compare their wages with Singaporean counterparts because employers bear different costs for Singaporeans, such as contributions to the Central Provident Fund.

Mr Milton Ng, president of the Environmental Management Association of Singapore, said the cost of housing a worker in a dormitory has risen from about $200 two to three years ago to today's $300 or so.

Worker levies imposed by the Government have also increased.

"I cannot increase the basic salaries of these workers on top of the other things I have to pay for, without passing the extra costs to my clients," said Mr Ng, a director at Ramky Cleantech Services.
"Something's got to give, otherwise I will end up pricing myself out of the competition."

Nightspot operator Dennis Foo, chief executive of St James Power Station, said "salary alone does not define the total remuneration" as one must consider factors such as accommodation, utilities and transport.

Among his service staff, Singaporeans and Malaysians earn about $100 more than the Chinese nationals in basic pay. But foreigners can take home a larger sum through tips and bar sales.

"This must be clearly communicated from the outset, so they don't end up thinking or feeling shortchanged," he said.

A veteran manufacturer who has businesses in Singapore, Malaysia and China said foreign workers must also manage their expectations. "They must understand that in Singapore, they can earn up to three times more than what they can get doing the same job in their home countries... so they are better off working here," he said.

"Unlike the Malaysians and Singaporeans, their expenses are much lower because they do not have to pay for the high cost of housing and transportation."

According to The Straits Times China bureau, online recruitment advertisements show that bus drivers in Beijing earn basic starting monthly wages of about 3,500 yuan (S$690). With overtime, pay can hit 5,000 yuan. Those in central Jiangxi province get about 2,200 yuan in monthly basic pay.

All SMRT bus services running as scheduled

Drivers who went on strike return to work, except for 6 with valid reasons

Straits Times, Published on Nov 29, 2012
By Royston Sim And Chia Yan Min
 

SMRT bus drivers outside the Police Cantonment Complex yesterday. Police yesterday called in 20 drivers who had gone on strike on Monday and Tuesday to assist in investigations. SMRT says it will review the contracts of its Chinese drivers, improve communication channels and hold special dialogues. -- PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS

ALL SMRT bus drivers who went on strike returned to work yesterday, except six whom the operator said had provided valid reasons.

SMRT said all bus services ran as scheduled, after two days of delays on some routes when drivers refused to work on Monday and Tuesday in protest over their salaries and living conditions.

Police yesterday called in 20 SMRT bus drivers from China who had gone on strike on both days to assist in investigations.

In response to queries, a spokesman said police are currently investigating. He added: "We are unable to comment further as investigations are still ongoing and we should let it run its course."

On Monday, 171 Chinese national drivers refused to work. Eighty-eight followed suit on Tuesday.
Yesterday morning, shuttle buses departed from the Woodlands dormitory at 4.10am and 5.10am with a full load of drivers, in contrast to Monday and Tuesday.

In Serangoon, drivers boarded the shuttle buses while being watched by two police officers.

Each driver was given a notice written in Chinese before they boarded the bus. The note, issued by SMRT, gave an account of events of the past two days, referred to the police investigation and stated that SMRT intended to find out who instigated the strike.

In an interview yesterday evening, SMRT executive vice- president (roads and commercial) Teo Chew Hoon sought to address concerns raised by its Chinese drivers. She said SMRT would "do our utmost" to make immediate improvements to drivers' living conditions, including fumigating the rooms to eliminate bed bugs and moving them out of the dormitories when the leases expire.

She said SMRT would also review the contracts of its Chinese drivers, improve communication channels and hold special dialogues for them.

In the evening, one Chinese driver who declined to be named welcomed news of the company's pledge to improve living conditions and review wages. He said: "I believe things will get better."

Another driver who stays in the Woodlands dormitory said: "It's good that they are making changes. Over here, it's very crowded in the rooms."

A Chinese driver in his 40s said: "We don't need exactly the same salary as the other foreign drivers, we just hope for it to be almost the same.

"We did not expect things to get so big and to get so much media attention."

A driver in his 50s said he does not intend to renew his contract, which expires in 50 days, because "too much has happened".

In a statement on its website, the Chinese Embassy said it hoped the drivers would abide by
Singapore's laws and make requests through the proper channels to avoid affecting commuters.

Additional reporting by Poon Chian Hui and Lisabel Ting

Police call in 20 SMRT bus drivers

All services back to normal as two-day strike comes to an end

Straits Times, Published on Nov 29, 2012

By Maria Almenoar Transport Correspondent

SMRT bus drivers outside the Police Cantonment earlier on Nov 28. 20 drivers were at Police Cantonment Complex to help with police investigations into possible breaches of the law as a result of the illegal strike. -- PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS

ALL SMRT bus services were running as scheduled yesterday after two days of disruption resulting from illegal strike action by some bus drivers from China.

The company said all 450 of its Chinese drivers were accounted for, unlike on Monday when 171 did not work, and on Tuesday when 88 stayed away.

Yesterday morning, 20 drivers were at Police Cantonment Complex to help with police investigations into possible breaches of the law as a result of the illegal strike.

They were among the drivers who did not go to work on both days. The Straits Times understands that all 20 drivers were still there at midnight.

Meanwhile, SMRT conceded that it had fallen short on addressing the drivers' complaints about living conditions and pay. It promised to clean and fix two workers' dormitories in Serangoon and Woodlands, and is looking at providing better accommodation.

But it maintained that the wages of its Chinese workers, though lower than what it pays Malaysian drivers, are competitive and spelt out clearly in their contracts.

SMRT's first media briefing on this week's dramatic events was led by executive vice-president for roads and commercial Teo Chew Hoon, as chief executive Desmond Kuek is on leave overseas.

"There are many lessons learnt, one of which is to better engage our bus drivers," she said.

"We could have engaged them and explained to them the difference in the salaries."

Ms Teo said the dormitories will be fumigated to get rid of bed bugs and damaged fixtures will be fixed. She said the company could have been swifter in dealing with the workers' complaints.

Better accommodation in the form of rented Housing Board flats or apartments is also in the pipeline for the drivers.

This is something SMRT had been considering, and is likely to implement when its leases for the dormitories expire early next year.

SMRT also revealed how it paid its foreign bus drivers from China and Malaysia differently.

Malaysians are hired on a permanent basis and their basic pay of $1,200 went up to $1,350 in July and again to $1,400 last month in an ongoing salary review. They also receive a 13th month bonus of $1,400 and a variable bonus.

The Chinese nationals, on the other hand, are hired on two-year contracts. Their basic pay went up from $1,000 to $1,075 in July. They get a bonus of two months' pay at the end of their contract.
SMRT said although the Chinese workers get less, the company pays $275 each to cover their accommodation and utilities.

Ms Teo said SMRT gave these workers a $75 increase in July even though it was not bound to do so in their contracts. A second $25 increase was finalised just last week. The drivers complained about pay around July when wages were first adjusted.

While SMRT has not ruled out putting Chinese nationals on permanent contracts in future, Ms Teo said its terms for Chinese and Malaysian drivers were equitable.

Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport chairman Cedric Foo said the Manpower Ministry should consider auditing living conditions of these workers. He said: "Safe and conducive living conditions are a very basic standard of due care that all employers should comply with."

He also encouraged more Chinese drivers to join the National Transport Workers' Union as it can act as a middleman when facilitating negotiations.

Although the majority of bus drivers from China at SBS Transit are union members, only 10 per cent of SMRT's drivers from China have joined the union.

4 Chinese bus drivers in Singapore charged following rare protest

Xinhua

2012-11-29 14:47:31 GMT2012-11-29 22:47:31(Beijing Time)  Xinhua English

 

SINGAPORE, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Four Chinese bus drivers working with Singapore public transport operator SMRT were charged with " inciting an illegal strike" on Thursday, two days after a rare no- show over pay issues involving 171 Chinese bus drivers.

The four Chinese bus drivers were arrested between Wednesday and Thursday, the police said. Court documents showed that the drivers were all charged with instigating an illegal strike. He Junling, one of the drivers, was also charged with inciting a strike by allegedly posting a message on baidu.com titled "The insults and humiliation suffered by Singapore drivers."

The message complains about inequitable pay, poor living conditions and exploitation by SMRT, the public transport operator who employs the Chinese bus drivers. Some of the problems were also mentioned by other drivers during the strike later.

If found guilty of instigating an illegal strike, the drivers shall be liable to a fine not exceeding 2,000 Singapore dollars and an imprisonment of no more than 12 months.

The Chinese Embassy said it was very concerned about the arrest of the Chinese citizens and was arranging consular visits to meet the Chinese bus drivers.

It also urged all the relevant parties to "be unbiased and clam and not to make things worse."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Manpower also issued a statement, saying that SMRT must address the labor and contractual grievances raised by its workers quickly. SMRT must ensure lines of communication are open and that it has proper grievances handling procedures in place, it said.

The 171 Chinese drivers did not report to work on Monday over a recent pay rise that saw their fellow workers from Malaysia getting a larger increase. Some 88 of them continued to stay away from work on Tuesday. All the workers went back to work after Singapore authorities and the Chinese Embassy stepped in to urge the workers return to their work.

Singapore's Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin described the incident as an "illegal strike." Some of the employees of SMRT, including 20 Chinese bus drivers, have been assisting the police in investigation into the incident.

Industrial disputes have been rare in Singapore over the past decades as authorities put in place measures that allows consultations involving both the workers, the employers and the government, while at the same time putting in place legal rules that make it virtually impossible to have a legal strike.

Under Singapore law, workers in essential services such as transport and public utilities must give their employer at least 14 days' advance notice of their intention to have a strike. The notice has to be signed by at least seven fellow workers involved in the strike or by at least seven union representatives of the workers. The notice then needs to be acknowledged and signed by the employer, after which, that notice needs to be put up in at least three conspicuous places where the workers are employed.

Singapore's Minister of State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck told local broadcaster Channel NewsAsia that the strong strand of the government against the workers, who were mostly not represented by an labor union, will give companies and investors here and potential investors the assurance about the country's stable labor relations.

However, some of the observers said that the incident also raised questions as to how Singapore manages its industrial relations. A blogger said that it may be a bit too stretched when there were no strikes over the past decades.

Eugene Tan, an assistant professor with the Singapore Management University and a nominated member of parliament, said the incident actually reflects a failure in its industrial relations.

"The issue has been brewing for a while and obviously it would seem that the workers didn't have sufficient channel for their grievances to be addressed and they have taken the rather drastic action of staging an illegal strike. In a way the illegal strike has worked. It has brought their grievances out publicly," he said. "Ultimately, even if this strike is now over, it wouldn't do good for SMRT if the drivers are unhappy."

Police statement on arrest of 4 PRC nationals involved in illegal strike

Updated 05:13 PM Nov 29, 2012, TODAY

SINGAPORE - The police have issued the following statement after four China nationals, He Jun Ling, 32, Gao Yue Qiang, 32, Lin Xing Ying, 33, and Wang Xian Jie 39, were arrested for their role in the illegal SMRT bus driver strike:

Between 28 and 29 November 2012, Police arrested four male PRC nationals for their roles in the illegal strike at a worker's dormitory located along Woodlands Sector 1 on 26 November 2012 and 27 November 2012.

The four persons will be charged in the Subordinate Courts this afternoon at 5pm under section 10(a) of the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act (Chapter 67) read with section 109 of the Penal Code (Chapter 224).

If found guilty, they shall be liable to a fine not exceeding S$2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.

SMRT holds first townhall with China drivers

TODAY, Updated 08:39 PM Nov 29, 2012

 

SINGAPORE - SMRT has issued the following statement after management met with bus drivers from China at a townhall session today:

SMRT Management and staff met up with more than 130 of our Service Leaders (SLs) from China at two townhall sessions held this afternoon.

At the sessions, SMRT's Executive Vice President for Commercial and Roads Ms Teo Chew Hoon shared with our SLs from China various measures that are being implemented and plans to improve their well-being. On concerns raised regarding the SLs' living conditions at the dormitories (Woodlands, Serangoon and Tampines), immediate measures such as repairs to defects and remedial works on broken fittings are currently being made to affected rooms. Fumigation has been arranged to address complaints of bed bugs in some of the rooms.

SMRT will continue to work closely with the dormitory operators to ensure that the dormitories of our SLs are kept in good condition.

As a large number of our SLs from China have expressed their desire to move out from the dormitories, we will also be arranging alternative accommodation for them at various HDB flats/apartments located island-wide when the leases of their dormitories expire from early 2013.

To improve communications with our SLs from China, we have set up a 24-hour hotline and a team of liaison officers which they can call and approach if they have any queries or feedback pertaining to their work, living conditions, or even if they require assistance in any other matters.

SMRT is in the process of reviewing the concerns raised regarding the wages of our SLs from China following the discussion on 26 November and will share our decision with them next week.

Ms Teo Chew Hoon thanked all our SLs for their hard work on the roads each day and for their cooperation in continuing to work hard despite what has happened in the past three-days. Ms Teo also reiterated that SMRT continues to value SLs who put their best into their duties, and reassured that the lines of communication with them remains open, and that the company will continue to look into their concerns and welfare.

We have been informed by the Police this afternoon that four of our SLs from China have been arrested and charged in Court for their roles in the illegal strike.

SMRT will continue to ensure that our bus services continue to operate normally and have been mobilising our resources accordingly. There are also 45 bus drivers from SBS Transit and private operators on standby ready to be deployed to assist us.

SMRT and our SLs will continue to cooperate with the authorities and render all assistance to their on-going investigations.

SMRT on dorm conditions: We could have done better

From Yahoo News

Yahoo! Newsroom – 8 hours ago

 

Reuters/REUTERS - A police van reverses out of the premises of a dormitory as negotiations with striking bus drivers continue within the building in Singapore November 26, 2012. At least 100 Chinese bus drivers in Singapore refused to go to work on Monday to protest against changes to their employment terms, media said, in a rare show of defiance in a city-state where industrial action is almost unheard of. The drivers, employed by public transport operator SMRT Corp, were unhappy about having to switch to a six-day work-week with higher pay from a five-day week. The change meant less opportunity to earn overtime pay, the Chinese-language Lianhe Zaobao newspaper reported on its website. Also pictured on the right are Chinese foreign workers not involved in the strike. REUTERS/Edgar Su (SINGAPORE - Tags: TRANSPORT BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT CIVIL UNREST) 

 

SMRT has acknowledged the poor living conditions at bus drivers' dorms in Woodlands and said it was taking swift action to improve them.

The living conditions at the dormitories are one of the main reasons why over 170 bus drivers from mainland China went on strike earlier this week. The other reason was the perceived unfairness over pay compared to other foreign bus drivers from Malaysia.

In a statement issued by SMRT on Wednesday evening, SMRT said fumigation works to remove bed bugs have been scheduled while remedial works on fittings are already underway.

SMRT executive vice president Teo Chew Hoon said: "There are lessons from this episode, including how we can better engage our Service Leaders, and we will improve in this area. In the meantime, we are doing our utmost to make immediate improvements to their living conditions.
However, SMRT insisted its remuneration package for its drivers from China was competitive and took into account the foreign worker levy and provision of transport, accomodation and utilities.

In an interview with Yahoo! Singapore earlier this week, a female bus driver from China who declined to be named had highlighted the poor living conditions.

"They may say that we are given accommodation, but have you seen the accommodation they give us? It isn't fit for humans," she said in Mandarin. "Eight of us share a room, and there isn't any walking space between our beds. I've also been bitten by rats and insects on multiple occasions before."

Nonetheless, she said all that is still bearable compared to the disparity in pay they receive for their work.

"This really is unfair to us. We do the exact same work, work for the same number of hours and yet we don't receive the same compensation. Our living conditions back home are far, far better than they are here." 

MOM’s Statement in Response to Media Queries on the SMRT Bus Drivers

From MOM website

Four drivers charged in Court

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has been updated that four bus drivers involved in the illegal SMRT strike on 26 - 27 November 2012 have been arrested and charged in Court this afternoon.

2.    These drivers allegedly instigated their fellow employees to participate in the illegal strike which adversely impacted essential public transport services – commuters were affected, even as other bus drivers worked to help ensure the services continued to run even with the disruptions. The illegal strikes are not acceptable and have undermined the industrial harmony we have built over the years. These alleged instigators must be dealt with in accordance to our laws.

3.    Investigations are still on-going and MOM will work closely with the Police on the matter.

MOM’s actions

Labour Relations

4.    Since Monday (26 Nov), MOM’s labour relations officers have been in close contact with SMRT’s senior management. MOM’s Deputy Commissioner for Labour, Mr Then Yee Thoong (田诒统), and senior MOM officers with the Labour Relations & Workplaces Division have also met up with SMRT’s senior management.

5.    SMRT has assured MOM that it has identified important lessons from this episode. MOM emphasised that SMRT, which provides essential public transport services in Singapore, must use these lessons to thoroughly review and improve its HR and management practices. In particular, SMRT should ensure their lines of communication with employees are kept open and proper grievance handling procedures are in place. SMRT should also clearly inform and educate employees about these processes. Employees who are unhappy or disgruntled should flag them through these processes, instead of taking matters into their own hands.

6.    MOM reiterated to SMRT that the labour and contractual grievances raised by the workers should be a priority and addressed quickly. MOM also called on SMRT to work more closely with the union to resolve outstanding issues. At the same time, MOM urged SMRT to fully address its remedial actions, both on the housing and labour relations front.

Housing

7.    The bus drivers had shared feedback about the living conditions at their dormitories [Woodlands Dormitory and Central Staff Apartments (Serangoon)]. MOM’s Housing Enforcement Branch officers visited the dormitories on Wednesday (28 Nov).

• The number of occupants in all the SMRT dormitory rooms is kept within the allowed occupancy limit; they are not overcrowded. 
• Our officers found that bed bug problems were observed in some of the rooms occupied by the SMRT drivers. Occupants of each room are responsible for their own hygiene. 
• The general housekeeping conditions of the rooms occupied by the SMRT drivers were also below par, compared to the other rooms in the dormitories. A common feedback from SMRT bus drivers interviewed by MOM officers at the dormitories was that the current arrangement of room allocation, where drivers on different shifts resided in the same room, made it difficult for them to get a good rest.

8.    MOM has shared the findings of the inspection with SMRT management on Thursday (29 Nov). SMRT has indicated it would improve the bus drivers’ living conditions as soon as possible. Fumigation will be carried out at the dormitories and remedial works to improve the living conditions at the two dormitories. SMRT has also said it will provide alternative accommodation for the bus drivers upon expiry of the rental agreements with the private dormitory operators.

9.    MOM will continue to monitor the housing situation.

Last Updated on 29 November 2012