THE BUS DRIVERS’ ILLEGAL STRIKE
It was the first illegal strike Singapore has seen in over two decades. Do you agree with what the bus drivers from China did? If foreigners are going to be performing our essential services, should their rights be better protected? Or should we start thinking of how to make these jobs more attractive to Singaporeans?
We discuss this on the next episode of Talking Point: The Vote, Tuesdays LIVE.
Post your comments here. Tweet us @tpvote. Call us LIVE at 66910028!
Vote result at 2130hrs, 4Dec2012 (poll already closed):
Qn:
"Should SMRT bus drivers have resorted to the strike?"
64.2% say yes
35.8% say no
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Just in my mind:
Since striking is actually legal in Singapore (no need early warning for non essential services apparently)- I think the staff at MOM (on their $575 Herman Miller Celle cushy chairs) if it may be found that they HAD NOT instructed HR departments (and especially those of workers in essential services) briefing their workers about the laws of Singapore (requiring 2 weeks notice before the commencement of a strike), then MOM is certainly quite negligent for assuming that Chinese bus drivers, most who have a questionable command of English, would be able to understand Singapore statutes :
Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act (Singapore) [wiki]"Workmen employed in other essential services shall not go on strike, and employers of such workmen shall not lock them out:
- unless at least 14 days before striking or locking out notice of intention to strike or lock out has been given;
- before the date of striking or locking out specified in the notice; or
- during the pendency of any proceedings,[31] that is, conciliation proceedings directed by the Commissioner for Labour under s. 20(2) of the Industrial Relations Act (Cap. 136) or by the Minister for Manpower under s. 22(1) of that Act; proceedings before an Industrial Arbitration Court in respect of a trade dispute of which that Court has cognizance by virtue of s. 31 of the Industrial Relations Act; or proceedings before a board of inquiry appointed by the Minister under s. 74(1) of the Industrial Relations Act."
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At:
04Dec2012: [Merged] PRC SMRT drivers' strike
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