20 SMRT bus drivers assist in police investigation

[hokkien]

SINGAPORE - 20 SMRT Chinese bus drivers were called in by the police on Wednesday to assist with investigations about their illegal strike.

The drivers had not yet left the premises 14 hours after the driver were first spotted outside the Police Cantonment complex.

They finally left the premises at about 6.50am, Thursday morning.


Some of them are reportedly leaders of the strike involving 171 drivers on Monday over salary disparities with Malaysian drivers and other issues.

In a media statement issued on Wednesday evening, SMRT explained that the drivers from China and Malaysia are hired on different contract terms but their salary packages are on par after accounting for the foreign worker levy and provision of transport, accommodation and utilities.

SMRT also said it will address concerns over raised over living conditions for Chinese bus drivers in privately owned dormitories. Improvements like remedial works on fittings are already underway.

Fumigation to remove bed bugs will be carried out soon. The SMRT also intends to provide alternative accommodation when the leases at the current dormitories expire from early 2013.

 

[Witterquick]

Strike in violation of the law, should be sacked and send back to cheena land.

 

[hokkien]

The Straits Times
Saturday, Dec 01, 2012
SINGAPORE - "The police will be issuing warnings to the others who were involved, but no further action will be taken against them and they will be allowed to remain and work in Singapore, so long as they continue to abide by our laws," added the MHA.


Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.

Full statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Manpower

December 1 - The Government acts against instigators and key participants involved in illegal strike.

The Police have substantially completed their investigations into the illegal strike on 26 and 27 November 2012 involving SMRT bus drivers who deliberately failed to turn up for work as required.

The strike was planned and premeditated. It disrupted our public transport which is an essential service, and posed a threat to public order.

The Public Prosecutor has decided to charge a total of 5 bus drivers who instigated or participated in the illegal strike. Between 28 and 29 November 2012, the Police arrested 4 bus drivers who were subsequently charged in Court for engaging in a conspiracy to instigate others to participate in the strike.

On 1 December 2012, the Public Prosecutor obtained a summons for one more person involved in the strike to be charged in Court on Monday, 3 December, under section 9(1) of the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act (Chapter 67). If convicted, the drivers will face a fine not exceeding $2,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both on each charge.

In addition, 29 SMRT bus drivers have been sternly warned by the Police for participating in the strike. The Controller of Work Passes has revoked their work permits, and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority will be repatriating them. These bus drivers who persisted in the strike were absent on either or both days of the illegal strike without reason. Some had medical certificates, but notwithstanding this, there is evidence of their involvement in the strike. Barring any new developments, we do not expect further arrests or repatriations related to this illegal strike. The Police will be issuing warnings to the others who were involved, but no further action will be taken against them and they will be allowed to remain and work in Singapore, so long as they continue to abide by our laws.

The actions of these SMRT bus drivers disrupted an essential service and Singapore's industrial harmony. While the SMRT bus drivers may have had grievances, these should have been raised through the legal and proper means available. 5 persons will face charges in court for the offences committed, and will be dealt with in accordance with the law. 29 persons who were blatant and persistent in their unlawful acts have had their Work Permits revoked and will be repatriated. Those who returned to work upon realising that this action was illegal will be issued warnings by the Police.

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

 

[hokkien]

Strike in violation of the law, should be sacked and send back to cheena land.

Bro they hear you

 

[hokkien]

45 relief drivers mobilised to cover SMRT bus routes

By Maria Almenoar

SINGAPORE - Minister of State for Transport Josephine Teo said on Saturday that it would take two to three months before SMRT will be able to recruit permanent drivers to replaced the 34 drivers the company has lost this week.

 

[hokkien]

Singapore to deport Chinese bus drivers in strike

SINGAPORE - Singapore will deport 29 mainland Chinese bus drivers and prosecute five others for taking part in the city-state's first strike since the 1980s, the government said Saturday.

The Ministry of Manpower said in a statement that 29 drivers' work permits had been revoked and immigration officials "will be repatriating them" for involvement in a two-day stoppage to demand better pay and working conditions.

RELATED STORIES
- Special: 171 Chinese SMRT bus drivers strike
"The strike was planned and premeditated. It disrupted our public transport which is an essential service, and posed a threat to public order," the statement said.

A fifth driver has been arrested and will be charged in addition to four others who have been brought to court for allegedly instigating the November 26-27 work stoppage at state-linked transport firm SMRT.

If found guilty of involvement in an illegal strike, they could be jailed for up to a year or fined a maximum of S$2,000 - the equivalent of two months' wages for a driver.

Strikes are illegal in Singapore for workers in "essential services" such as transport unless they give 14 days' prior notice and comply with other requirements

 

[Pervert]

Bro they hear you

I go double check first then confirm with you ok

 

[hokkien]

Monday, Dec 03, 2012
SINGAPORE - All the 29 former SMRT bus drivers from China who were active participants in an illegal strike last week have been repatriated to their home country.

The Home Affairs Ministry said yesterday that they were placed on flights yesterday between 12.15am and 4.35pm.

"They were cooperative and the process took place without incident," said a ministry spokesman.

He added that embassy officials from the People's Republic of China, as well as SMRT staff, had helped with the repatriation.

Four drivers were charged last Thursday with conspiring to instigate the other drivers to strike.

A fifth will be charged today for being a hostile and aggressive participant in the strike

 

[Hudson]

Moral of the story - In Rome, do what the Romans do.

Singaporeans don't know how to go on strike. They know that it is illegal to go on strike without going thru the proper channel.

PRC think they can call a strike on their own. Now they got depoted.

 

[Imperial Cruiser]

SMRT sacks 3 drivers allegedly involved in Nov strike
Posted: 23 January 2013 1629 hrs

SINGAPORE: SMRT has terminated the services of three bus drivers who are facing criminal charges for their alleged roles in a strike last November - for absence from work without valid reasons.

It said He Jun Ling, Gao Yue Qiang and Liu Xiang Ying breached the terms of their employment contracts.

The contract of a fourth driver, Wang Xianjie, who had also been charged and had not reported for work, expired on 14 January.

He is no longer employed by SMRT.

SMRT said in a statement on Wednesday that the four drivers had not reported for work since they were released on bail on 6 December 2012.

In the past six weeks, it had actively sought to maintain contact with them.

They had, until recently, refused direct communication with SMRT even though they were still employed and paid by SMRT.

They also moved out of the accommodation provided by the company and rejected SMRT's offers of alternate accommodation.

SMRT said their continued absence from work without official leave is a breach of the company's policy, as well as the terms of their employment contracts.

It suspended them from their duties, pending an internal disciplinary inquiry.

Notices of the inquiry were sent to their lawyers.

The inquiry was held on 17 January for He, Gao and Liu but the three were absent.

After considering the facts and evidence, the SMRT disciplinary board found that the three were absent from work without prior leave or reasonable explanation.

They also failed to inform or attempt to inform SMRT of the reasons for their absence.

Though the men's work permits have been revoked, they will have to remain in Singapore as their case is before the courts.

- CNA/xq

 

[nycheong]

SMRT sacks 3 drivers allegedly involved in Nov strike
Posted: 23 January 2013 1629 hrs

SINGAPORE: SMRT has terminated the services of three bus drivers who are facing criminal charges for their alleged roles in a strike last November - for absence from work without valid reasons.

It said He Jun Ling, Gao Yue Qiang and Liu Xiang Ying breached the terms of their employment contracts.

The contract of a fourth driver, Wang Xianjie, who had also been charged and had not reported for work, expired on 14 January.

He is no longer employed by SMRT.

SMRT said in a statement on Wednesday that the four drivers had not reported for work since they were released on bail on 6 December 2012.

In the past six weeks, it had actively sought to maintain contact with them.


Though the men's work permits have been revoked, they will have to remain in Singapore as their case is before the courts.

- CNA/xq

Once Permit is revoked they are not allowed to work. The workers are not sacked by SMRT but by MOM

 

[Imperial Cruiser]

Ex-SMRT bus drivers report abuse allegations in online video
By Saifulbahri Ismail | Posted: 30 January 2013 1044 hrs

(Photo by: Hester Tan, channelnewsasia.com)

SINGAPORE: Police said two defendants who had been charged for their roles in an SMRT bus strike in November 2012 have made serious allegations in a video online that they been assaulted while in police custody.

Police said in a statement on Tuesday night that they are aware of the video interviews.

They urged the two men, 32-year-old He Jun Ling and 33-year-old Liu Xiang Ying, to make a police report so that they can investigate the case.

Police said the defendants' lawyers can also raise this matter in court when the case against them is heard.

Police added that as the case is currently before the court, it is not appropriate for them to comment on it.

- CNA/ck/fa

 

[Imperial Cruiser]

Ex-SMRT bus drivers to decide if they want to go on trial
By Claire Huang | Posted: 01 February 2013 1818 hrs

A SMRT bus (File pic).

SINGAPORE: The four ex-SMRT bus drivers from China who had been charged in court for their roles in an illegal strike at a Woodlands Workers' dormitory have one week to decide if they want to go on trial.

The trial dates are expected to be set on February 8.

He Jun Ling, 32, Gao Yue Qiang, 32, Liu Xiangying, 33, and Wang Xian Jie, 39, were arrested by the police in November 2012 for inciting and participating in an illegal strike.

Speaking to the media after a pre-trial conference on Friday, He's lawyer said they received 200 pages worth of online chat material among about 100 bus drivers only last week.

He said while they are in the midst of translating the material, it looks impossible to finish doing so by February 8.

It is understood that Gao has discharged his lawyer, Ms Tan Wen Hsien from Rajah and Tann.

The reason is not known.

This leaves him one week to find another lawyer to defend him.

Channel NewsAsia understands that all four men are inclined to claim trial.

A total of 171 SMRT bus drivers had failed to report for duty on November 26 last year in a protest over pay and living conditions.

Eighty-eight of them stayed away from work the next day.

- CNA/fa

 

[Klytus]

SMRT bus strike: Alleged ringleaders rebuff prosecution's offer of amended charges

Published on Feb 01, 2013

(Left to right) Gao Yue Qiang, Wang Xianjie and He Jun Ling are seen walking together into the Subordinate Courts at about 3.30pm on Friday, Feb 1, 2013. The four alleged ringleaders of November's illegal bus strike look set to go to trial after they refused to plead guilty on Friday. -- ST PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG

By Jermyn Chow

The four alleged ringleaders of November's illegal bus strike look set to go to trial after they refused to plead guilty on Friday.

In doing so, the Chinese Nationals rebuffed the prosecution's offer to amend their charges in January. If they had accepted the offer, the four men, Gao Yue Qiang, 32, Liu Xiangying, 33, Wang Xianjie, 39, and He Jun Ling, 32, would have been charged for taking part in the Nov 26 illegal strike, rather than instigating it.

Their lawyers will meet prosecutors in chambers on Feb 8 to set the trial dates. He's lawyer Choo Zheng Xi told reporters after Friday's pre-trial conference that he had requested to meet on a later date but was turned down by the judge.

He disclosed that he was in the midst of translating some 200 Chinese messages that were posted by some 100 SMRT bus drivers, including He, on Chinese social networking portal QQ to get more information for his client's case.

 

[Klytus]

Police probe ex-bus drivers' allegations against officers
Posted: 05 February 2013 1832 hrs

SINGAPORE: The Internal Affairs Office (IAO) of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) has started investigations into allegations by two ex-SMRT bus drivers against the conduct of police investigation officers.

The police said two ex-drivers, who had been charged for their roles in an SMRT bus strike in November 2012, alleged in a video online that they been assaulted while in police custody.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement on Tuesday that it takes a serious view of the public allegations made.

MHA said such allegations must be taken seriously as they have a detrimental impact on public confidence and trust in the integrity of the SPF.

IAO will be approaching bus drivers, the producers of the video and other related parties to seek their assistance in its investigation.

The IAO is an independent office within the SPF HQ.

Its job is to investigate all disciplinary offences, as well as crimes committed by police officers, when acting under the colour of its office.

The IAO reports directly to the Commissioner of Police.

- CNA/xq

 

[Firestorm]

Trial dates set for 4 ex-SMRT drivers accused of instigating strike
By Leong Wai Kit | Posted: 08 February 2013 2054 hrs

Singapore Subordinate Courts (Photo: Anthony Chia, channelnewsasia.com)

SINGAPORE : The trial dates have been set for the four ex-SMRT drivers from China, who are accused of instigating an illegal strike in November last year.

The four men, Gao Yue Qiang, 32, Liu Xiangying, 33, Wang Xianjie, 39, and He Jun Ling, 32, will go on a joint trial from March 4 to 8 this year.

The dates are for the first tranche of trial.

This was revealed on Friday after a closed-door session at the Subordinate Courts.

Lawyer Peter Low, who represents He, told reporters after the session that they were "ready to go for trial".

Mr Low said there will be another closed-door session on February 22.

The session is meant to check lawyers' progress for trial, and is unlikely to affect the trial dates.

Defence lawyers did not say how many witnesses will be called to the trial.

But Andrew Goh, who represents Liu, said one of the likely defence witnesses would be the doctor who issued medical certificates to some drivers on November 27 - the day after the illegal strike.

Meanwhile, lawyers are still translating some 200 pages of documents in Mandarin.

These are messages posted by about 100 SMRT drivers on a Chinese social networking portal called QQ.

Mr Goh cannot confirm if the documents will be used as evidence in court. But he added that they can suggest the kind of involvement each ex-driver had, as the drivers' "sentiments were all ventilated" on QQ.

Lawyers have also offered the documents to the prosecution.

The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) said the prosecution will be reviewing these documents.

An AGC spokesperson also said the prosecution will be calling more than 30 witnesses, including SMRT officials, bus drivers and police officers.

The spokesperson also addressed the issue of a filmmaker, whose laptop and mobile phone were seized by the police for investigation.

The filmmaker, Lynn Lee, had shot videos of He and Liu, who claimed they were abused while they were held for questioning in November last year.

The AGC said the film and abuse allegations are separate issues from the trial.

- CNA/ms

 

[Zieler]

4 ex-SMRT bus drivers involved in illegal strike to plead guilty
By Claire Huang | Posted: 22 February 2013 1427 hrs

Four ex-SMRT bus drivers involved in S'pore illegal bus strike to plead guilty next Monday. (Claire Huang, Channel NewsAsia)

SINGAPORE: Four former SMRT bus drivers involved in last November's illegal bus strike on Friday indicated that they will plead guilty.

The decision to plead came after the defence asked the prosecution for the various sentencing options.

He Jun Ling, 32, Gao Yue Qiang, 32, Liu Xiangying, 33, and Wang Xian Jie, 39, will be in court on Monday to admit their guilt.

The four were arrested by the police in November 2012 for inciting and participating in the illegal strike.

They had earlier claimed trial with trial dates set for the 4 to 8 March.

One hundred and seventy one SMRT bus drivers failed to report for duty on 26 November last year in a protest over pay and living conditions.

Eighty-eight of them stayed away from work the next day.

Last December, a SMRT bus driver, Bao Feng Shan, 38, also from China, was sentenced to six weeks' jail for taking part in the November illegal strike.

- CNA/ck

 

[Zieler]

4 ex-SMRT bus drivers involved in illegal strike sentenced to jail
By Claire Huang | Posted: 25 February 2013 1559 hrs

Four ex-SMRT bus drivers involved in an illegal bus strike seen here on 22 February. (Claire Huang, Channel NewsAsia)

SINGAPORE: Four former SMRT bus drivers have been jailed for inciting and participating in last November's illegal bus strike.

He Jun Ling, 32 was sentenced to seven weeks' jail due to greater culpability while Gao Yue Qiang, 32, Liu Xiangying, 33, and Wang Xian Jie, 39, were sentenced to six weeks' jail each.

The four pleaded guilty on Monday. They were arrested by the police in November 2012 for inciting and participating in the illegal strike and had earlier claimed trial with trial dates set for the March.

However on Friday 22, the four men's lawyers said their clients' decision to plead came after prosecution gave an indication of the various sentencing options.

On November 26 last year, 171 SMRT bus drivers failed to report for duty in a protest over pay and living conditions.

Eighty-eight of them stayed away from work the next day.

In December 2012, a SMRT bus driver, Bao Feng Shan, 38, also from China, was sentenced to six weeks' jail for taking part in the same illegal strike.

In giving his oral grounds for decision, Senior District Judge See Kee Oon said public transport is an essential service and that although the four men's conduct was motivated by their grievances, their plea of guilt indicated that they knew they ought not to have taken the law into their own hands.

The judge said the aggravating factor was that they put pressure on SMRT to give in to their demands.

He said the move had the potential to affect the daily lives of all who relied on public transport.

Apart from online chat, the four men also made personal visits to fellow Chinese bus drivers.

While the judge noted that the defence lawyers argued that the key here was the failure to submit the notice before going on strike, he said "ignorance of the law cannot excuse them entirely".

He added that while the situation may well have been better handled by their former employer SMRT, the court is not the platform to address this, much less the perceived shortcomings on the employer's part.

- CNA/ck/fa