[TinyRedLeaf]

Chinese bus drivers in S'pore stage rare protest

Singapore (Nov 26, Mon): At least 100 Chinese bus drivers here refused to go to work today to protest against changes to their employment terms, local 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.

Pictures published by Shin Min Daily News, another Chinese-language paper, showed drivers gathered on the grounds of a dormitory where they live, with policemen and vehicles belonging to riot police around the premises.

Strikes are rare in Singapore where the authorities are quick to step in for fear such action could discourage investors. The last major strike was in 1986 by shipyard workers.

REUTERS

Bus drivers' action was 'illegal strike', says Govt

Singapore (Nov 27, Tue): The SMRT bus drivers' action yesterday was an illegal strike and will be dealt with, says Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin. Police are investigating.

Mr Tan was speaking at an ongoing Ministry of Manpower press conference on the SMRT saga. Also present were Minister of State for Transport Josephine Teo and senior officials from the manpower and transport ministries.

The National Trades Union Congress said it supports the action taken by the Government. "It is important to send a clear signal to all workers that, as a nation ruled by law, there are proper ways of dealing with issues and disagreement," it added in a statement.

"Any action that is illegal must and will be dealt with firmly, regardless of whether the workers are local or foreign. We have a system in place to deal with workplace issues and grievances, one that has been painstakingly built over the years and has served us well. This must continue."

A total of 102 China-born drivers refused to go to work yesterday, saying they wanted better salaries. They said they are paid less than Malaysian drivers.

THE STRAITS TIMES

No-show by bus drivers a strike or protest?

Singapore (Nov 27, Tue): A total of 102 SMRT bus drivers, all China nationals, refused to turn up for work yesterday over a pay dispute, and this morning, over half of those involved did not show up for work again.

There has been a lot of talk about why the media and even the Manpower Ministry and SMRT have not been calling the wage protest a strike. Instead, terms like "sit-in", "sit-out", "protest", "did not show up for work" were used.

There are several reasons for this and they have to do with the law. As this has to do with an essential service — in this case, public transport — the law is very specific on what is considered a strike.

Under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act, it is a strike only when a worker gives his employer at least 14 days' advance notice of his intention to do so. This 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.

That's a legal strike, if rules are followed. Anything else, it's an illegal strike and there are consequences. A person involved in that could be fined up to S$2,000 (US$1,630) and jailed up to 12 months. A person who instigates or finances an illegal strike also faces the same penalties.

CHANNELNEWSASIA

Yup, you need a government permit — and your employer's cooperation — to legally go on strike in Singapore. Go figure.