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http://www.straitstimes.com/the-big...here-are-lessons-illegal-strike-and-will-make
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By Royston Sim
Bus operator SMRT says there are lessons to be learnt from the illegal strike by its mainland Chinese bus drivers.
In a media briefing - its first since the matter surfaced on Monday - SMRT executive vice-president (roads and commercial) Teo Chew Hoon said the operator will make immediate improvements.
The briefing zoomed in on salary and working conditions of the drivers.
SMRT said unlike bus drivers from Malaysia who are permanent employees, the Chinese are on a two-year contract with different terms. While their starting pay is lower, they get accommodation, utilities and transport to work.
Although they weren't entitled to increments, they got one in July. Another adjustment - of $25 a month - was also finalised last week, but not told to them yet.
SMRT said it pays competitive market wages, and all things considered, pay for drivers from China and Malaysia are "equitable".
As for dormitory conditions, it said fumigation works were scheduled at the Woodlands dormitory but have not been carried out yet. "Swifter actions could have been taken to improve the conditions of the dormitories," it said, and this will be done.
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Drivers back at work but saga's not over
by Tan Weizhen 04:46 AM Nov 29, 2012
SINGAPORE - Bus services operated by SMRT ran as scheduled yesterday as its China drivers got behind the wheel, after a two-day illegal strike over their pay and living conditions.
The dust, however, has yet to settle, as 20 of the 171 drivers involved in the illegal strike are assisting the police with their investigations into possible breaches of the law. Under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act, essential service workers cannot go on strike unless they give their employers 14 days' notice of their intention. Contacted last night, a police spokesperson said it was unable to comment further as an investigation is ongoing and should be allowed to "run its course".
Some who returned to work yesterday said they did so for fear of going without a salary, while others took heed of the management's promise to get back to them on their demands. Six drivers who did not turn up for work yesterday morning had valid reasons for being absent, SMRT said.
In a statement yesterday - its most detailed since the saga began on Monday - SMRT explained why the salary between drivers from Malaysia and those from China differs, while vowing to improve in other areas.
It said that while the S$1,075 starting salary of those from China are lower, as compared to those from Malaysia at S$1,400, the company has to pay for the accommodation, utility bills, and daily work transport of the Chinese drivers. This amounts to S$275 per month.
In addition, the drivers from China are on a two-year contract, which has "different terms of employment", while the Malaysians are hired on a permanent basis.
In July, the drivers from China were given a S$75 salary increase, even though SMRT said such a raise is not stated in their contract.
The company was also in the process of communicating to the drivers another S$25 raise, which was finalised last week, before the illegal strike occurred.
"SMRT pays competitive market wages," the company said. "Labour markets and wages vary in different countries. Taking into account the foreign worker levy and the provision of transport, accommodation and utilities, our remuneration packages for SLs (service leaders) from China and Malaysia are equitable."
The company also addressed drivers' complaints on the living conditions at their Woodlands dormitory, such as bed bugs. SMRT said fumigation works were scheduled but have not been carried out yet, and other measures such as remedial works on fittings are underway. Alternative accommodation will also be provided when the leases at the dormitories expire from early next year.
"We acknowledge that swifter actions could have been taken to improve the conditions of the dormitories," said SMRT.
Echoing Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin's comments on Tuesday when he said there will be lessons to learn across the board, SMRT's Executive Vice-President (Roads and Commercial) Teo Chew Hoon said: "There are lessons from this episode, including how we can better engage our SLs, and we will improve in this area. In the meantime, we are doing our utmost to make immediate improvements to their living conditions."
Some drivers were, however, unimpressed by SMRT's statement. One, who declined to give his name, said the company should resolve the cramped conditions urgently.
"There are too many people staying in one room and it is very disruptive as our rest is disturbed: Some are working morning shift, while others are working at night," he said.
.
http://www.straitstimes.com/the-big...here-are-lessons-illegal-strike-and-will-make
.
By Royston Sim
Bus operator SMRT says there are lessons to be learnt from the illegal strike by its mainland Chinese bus drivers.
In a media briefing - its first since the matter surfaced on Monday - SMRT executive vice-president (roads and commercial) Teo Chew Hoon said the operator will make immediate improvements.
The briefing zoomed in on salary and working conditions of the drivers.
SMRT said unlike bus drivers from Malaysia who are permanent employees, the Chinese are on a two-year contract with different terms. While their starting pay is lower, they get accommodation, utilities and transport to work.
Although they weren't entitled to increments, they got one in July. Another adjustment - of $25 a month - was also finalised last week, but not told to them yet.
SMRT said it pays competitive market wages, and all things considered, pay for drivers from China and Malaysia are "equitable".
As for dormitory conditions, it said fumigation works were scheduled at the Woodlands dormitory but have not been carried out yet. "Swifter actions could have been taken to improve the conditions of the dormitories," it said, and this will be done.
.
Drivers back at work but saga's not over
by Tan Weizhen 04:46 AM Nov 29, 2012
SINGAPORE - Bus services operated by SMRT ran as scheduled yesterday as its China drivers got behind the wheel, after a two-day illegal strike over their pay and living conditions.
The dust, however, has yet to settle, as 20 of the 171 drivers involved in the illegal strike are assisting the police with their investigations into possible breaches of the law. Under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act, essential service workers cannot go on strike unless they give their employers 14 days' notice of their intention. Contacted last night, a police spokesperson said it was unable to comment further as an investigation is ongoing and should be allowed to "run its course".
Some who returned to work yesterday said they did so for fear of going without a salary, while others took heed of the management's promise to get back to them on their demands. Six drivers who did not turn up for work yesterday morning had valid reasons for being absent, SMRT said.
In a statement yesterday - its most detailed since the saga began on Monday - SMRT explained why the salary between drivers from Malaysia and those from China differs, while vowing to improve in other areas.
It said that while the S$1,075 starting salary of those from China are lower, as compared to those from Malaysia at S$1,400, the company has to pay for the accommodation, utility bills, and daily work transport of the Chinese drivers. This amounts to S$275 per month.
In addition, the drivers from China are on a two-year contract, which has "different terms of employment", while the Malaysians are hired on a permanent basis.
In July, the drivers from China were given a S$75 salary increase, even though SMRT said such a raise is not stated in their contract.
The company was also in the process of communicating to the drivers another S$25 raise, which was finalised last week, before the illegal strike occurred.
"SMRT pays competitive market wages," the company said. "Labour markets and wages vary in different countries. Taking into account the foreign worker levy and the provision of transport, accommodation and utilities, our remuneration packages for SLs (service leaders) from China and Malaysia are equitable."
The company also addressed drivers' complaints on the living conditions at their Woodlands dormitory, such as bed bugs. SMRT said fumigation works were scheduled but have not been carried out yet, and other measures such as remedial works on fittings are underway. Alternative accommodation will also be provided when the leases at the dormitories expire from early next year.
"We acknowledge that swifter actions could have been taken to improve the conditions of the dormitories," said SMRT.
Echoing Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin's comments on Tuesday when he said there will be lessons to learn across the board, SMRT's Executive Vice-President (Roads and Commercial) Teo Chew Hoon said: "There are lessons from this episode, including how we can better engage our SLs, and we will improve in this area. In the meantime, we are doing our utmost to make immediate improvements to their living conditions."
Some drivers were, however, unimpressed by SMRT's statement. One, who declined to give his name, said the company should resolve the cramped conditions urgently.
"There are too many people staying in one room and it is very disruptive as our rest is disturbed: Some are working morning shift, while others are working at night," he said.
