Release the SMRT Bus Captains!
According to the government, one is only allowed to stage a strike provided that one has given the employer a 14 days notice.
This of course does not make any sense as the employer has ample time to fire the employees and find new ones instead of solving the problem. They will then continue their unfair treatment of these employees.
While Singapore's government kept on stating that they have "zero tolerance" towards this kind of practices ie. strikes, they seem to tolerate injustice and unfair practices ie. SMRT's unfair treatment of workers from different nationalities.
This has to stop. All employees, regardless of race, language, religion AND nationality should receive the SAME treatment based on amount of work, type of work, qualifications and experience.
Most importantly, if employees (locals and foreigners) are mistreated, they should be able to demand justice. The current union, National Trade Union Congress, is managed by the government, hence, it is not much of a union in the first place.
Singaporeans and other workers in Singapore have had to deal with unfair policies because there is no reliable union to back them up. Strikes and protests are one of the ways to get the employers to listen and change their policies. There should not be any arrest unless violence was involved.
These Bus Captains have paved ways for many to voice against unjust practices of employers. The government has no right to silence the voice of employees. We demand the right to voice against injustice and unfair practices of employers.
Latest update (1):
29 of the Bus Captains have been deported, while 5 are being charged. This is the government's way of sending a warning to everyone "you better not think of a strike or protest. Especially Singaporeans. Foreigners will be deported and they can go home and still get a job back home. You Singaporeans are stuck, so you better obey us."
This is "legal blackmail". The only reason it is legal is because the government said so. Meanwhile, demanding for our rights is "illegal". We cannot expect a government that is one of highest paid in the world to change anything. We have to make a stand and tell them "We have had enough!"
Latest update (2):
I urge you to contact the Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of Manpower and feedback to them directly.
Prime Minister's Office: pmo_hq@pmo.gov.sg
Prime Minister's Office's other contact info can be found at the following site: http://www.pmo.gov.sg/content/pmosite/contactinfo.html
MOM: https://secure.mom.gov.sg/feedback/Pages/default.aspx
MOM's other contact info can be found at the following site: http://www.mom.gov.sg/contact-us/Pages/contact-information.aspx#email
I also urge you to feedback to SMRT directly about the plight of these drivers.
http://www.smrt.com.sg/AboutSMRT/ContactUs.aspx
Latest update (3):
SMRT has announced that they will not be raising the pay of the Bus Captains in spite of the strike. Instead, many have been fired and deported, 1 has been jailed and 4 others are still waiting to be charged.
Latest update (4):
On why the activists from Hong Kong are exercised about the situation in Singapore, the group's leader Lee Cheuk Yan told The Straits Times: "If the Singapore government is able to get away with this violation, it will set a bad example to other governments."
Protestors should respect S'pore laws: Labour MPs
We are Singaporeans, and we are protesting the situation. If the Singapore government is able to get away with this violation, it will be able to get away with ANY violations of human rights, and not only will they make it legal, they will also make the Singaporeans believe that THIS IS RIGHT AND ACCEPTABLE. Taking away our rights does NOT equate to PEACE. It is our right to demand for justice where justice is needed!
Latest update (5):
Recently, it has been announced that bus fares will be increased in order to increase the wages of the bus drivers. This has led to many locals blaming the China bus drivers. This is a way for SMRT to divert attention from the real problem, and instigate Singaporeans to hate migrant workers. In actual fact, SMRT has made MILLIONS of dollars in revenue. Being a public service organisation, there isn't a need for SMRT to make so much profit. The pay of the directors and top management can be lowered while those of the bus drivers should be increased, and this should come without needing to raise the bus fares.
This is an attempt by the government to instigate hate, and push the blame around, while pocketing most of the money. The Singapore government is practicing LEGAL corruption.
Latest update (6):
In a matter of days, we have had 260++ signatures. This is an indication many agree that the move by the government is a violation of human rights. Please spread the word. Do not let the government distract you from other news such as extramarital affairs of members of parliament.
Singapore needs to improve on human rights issues and it should be now! Not later. Not next year. Not next election.
How many more human rights will they violate legally?
Spread the word!
Latest update (7):
He is against minimum wage for workers.
He is against equal pay for workers.
He is against having unions for foreign workers.
He is against pay increases "without increase in productivity".
He is NOT against retrenchment.
He did NOTHING to help the SMRT Drivers.
He wants workers to be cheaper, better, faster.
He is Lim Swee Say, Chief of the National Trade UNION congress, Minister in the Prime Minister's office and Deputy Chairman of People's Association.
How can we expect justice when the Chief of the Union is against justice?
Latest update (8):
Untold may not be the right word as the story was told many times over several months, but no one wants to hear them. This untold and embarrassing story is starting to reappear to shed light on the plight of the SMRT drivers. One was jailed, 29 repatriated and 5 charged in court. The story in the media so far was all about the trouble makers, the SMRT drivers. And they were duly punished with many Sinkies throwing more vitriol at them.
Desmond Kuek has conducted an internal investigation on how the strike came about and commented that it could be avoided if the management was more “sensitive, attentive and responsive” to the problems the workers had brought up. Disciplinary action would be taken against those who allowed the drivers’ grievance to escalate to become a work stoppage. The drivers would not have been charged, jailed, repatriated and lost their jobs. The strike would not have occurred to embarrass the govt and the trade union. Relations with the Chinese Govt would not have been affected.
Since his last comment that there were many problems in the organisation, a witch hunt could be next and many skeletons are likely to be dragged out of the cupboard. But most important of all, the truth shall prevail and the drivers would be seen in a different light, that they could be victims of mismanagement and neglect.
Shine the light and brighten up the dark patches and return justice to those that had been wronged. SMRT would no longer need to say we are sorry, it should not have happen, we will make sure it will not happen again. ‘We are sorry for the inconvenience caused’.
Posted by Chua Chin Leng aka redbean on his blog My Singapore News
Latest update (9):Without the “illegal strike” by the bus drivers, it would not have been known that the workers had been poorly paid and living in cramped conditions with beg-bugs as their bedfellows. If there had been a welfare officer, this problem need not have occurred.
The action that followed is equally grievous. Right from the start, it was already decided that the refusal to go to work was a “strike” and an “illegal” one at that. Where is justice when the striking workers are repatriated without being given a fair hearing and mitigating factors are not considered? Justice must be done and manifestly seen to be done. Is there going to be “zero tolerance” for the management of SMRT for their contribution to this whole affair? - Dr Wong Wee Nam
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This petition will be delivered once we have reached the targeted number of 1000 signatures or more. Please spread the word. Thank you for doing your part! Let's ensure justice is done!