200 SMRT bus drivers refuse to go to work over pay issue

[janet88]

limlim:

What's wrong with engaging foreigner drivers?


I fully support m'sian, PR or pinoy drivers. As long as they can deliver quality service with proper trainings.

We have no choice but hire foreigners to drive our buses...lack of manpower and locals to do that.
Foreigners employed need to training or we can't communicate with them...especially for sales assistants. Filipinos are good at doing sales...I've had several good experiences with them...they are polite and friendly.

[WeiHan]

3Boys:

Daddy

Don't start me on the FT thingy...

Now the FTs are showing SGs how to do \"it\"
SGs are too obedient and taken for granted at times.

That's the irony I am chuckling about.

That was my first reaction also....

and....how reliable are these foreign workers? No wonder, our productivity has been dropping despite growing workforce. Singapore authority didn't even give in to the pilots when they protest some years back...what do you think about bus drivers?

[iRabbit]

Ok someone pls bring out the knuckle duster.


We might suffer great inconvenience if 200 drivers go on strike, but if we as much as give an inch as a precedent, we’re screwed as a labour force. In other pple’s country, we have no choice but to follow their culture. But in our own country, we must will do what is right for us.

[Daddy D]

:siao: :siao: [quote]
The Ministry of Manpower issued a stern warning to the 102 drivers who took part in the stoppage, saying it \"takes the workers' actions very seriously\" and was closely monitoring the situation.[/quote][quote]\"Talks between our management and the SLs started this morning and ended this evening at about 6 pm.

\"This group of PRC SLs will be returning to work tomorrow.

\"We (SMRT) thank Ministry of Manpower and Ministry of Home Affairs for their assistance in this matter. \"Once again, we apologise to commuters and the public for the inconvenience caused. \"[/quote][quote]\"The National Transport Workers' Union (NTWU) does not have the legal mandate to represent the People's Republic of China bus workers of SMRT as they are not union members.
In a statement, the National Transport Workers' Union urged the Chinese drivers - who are not union members - to return to work immediately.[/quote]Tomorrow they return to work and world peace?
:siao:

[pirate]

And… that is why I said earlier (can’t remember in which thread) that foreign worker quota should be tightened for blue-collar work that must physically be done in Singapore. I remember that I even specifically mentioned bus drivers.

[Twinkies]

octoberbaby:

if SG people on strike, get sue till bankrupt.


revoke their work permit lah. Why can't they work in their own country, produce toothbrush profit 1 cents X 1.2 billion = $1.2 billion profit.

:yikes:
:yikes:
:yikes:

[BlueBells]

FQW:

Ok someone pls bring out the knuckle duster.


We might suffer great inconvenience if 200 drivers go on strike, but if we as much as give an inch as a precedent, we're screwed as a labour force. In other pple's country, we have no choice but to follow their culture. But in our own country, we must will do what is right for us.

I share the same view. Singapore cannot be held hostage by worker strikes because people are our only resources. Besides, isn't strike against the law? If they are unhappy with the pay, go to MOM. They came here on contract with their eyes wide open, so if they break the law here or breach their contract, I am of the stand that we should send them home.

[limlim]

FQW:

We might suffer great inconvenience if 200 drivers go on strike, but if we as much as give an inch as a precedent, we're screwed as a labour force. In other pple's country, we have no choice but to follow their culture. But in our own country, we must will do what is right for us.

Yes indeed. Strikes should not be tolerated. The companies should not give in easily..

However, this is different issue from getting foreign drivers. Some driver strike doesn't mean cannot use foreigner drivers (some other posts seems to suggest that). Before they come to SG, they should be told to respect the system here.

Also, another point bought up by the drivers is that PRC driver are paid less than m'sian drivers. I feel the companies should have communicated with the drivers better and explain why this is so, if the discrimination is really justified. All foreigner driver should be treat equally and based on merits, not nationality.

mebbe cost of PRC and m'sian driver is different but the companies should make effort to let their workers understand.

Yahoo:

Speaking to reporters after discussions ended at about 5pm, the drivers said their main purpose in their demonstrations was to seek a fairer pay system.

\"We work the same number of hours (as Malaysian drivers), we should receive the same remuneration,\" said one driver in his 30s, who declined to be named. \"We don't expect to earn the same as Singaporean drivers, but all foreign drivers should earn the same pay.\"

The company should respond to the comments.

[Daddy D]

http://motoring.asiaone.com/Motoring/News/Story/A1Story20121126-385868.html

[quote]Drivers from China earn a basic salary of S$1,075, while those from Malaysia earn S$1,375, the driver said.[/quote]SG's fault for shunning away from bus driver job?
That's one way to look at it...
:?

[3Boys]

Daddy

http://motoring.asiaone.com/Motoring/News/Story/A1Story20121126-385868.html

[quote]Drivers from China earn a basic salary of S$1,075, while those from Malaysia earn S$1,375, the driver said.

SG's fault for shunning away from bus driver job?
That's one way to look at it...
:?[/quote]I support raising wages for bus drivers, .....and raising fares.....and raising taxes to support our new high living cost environment.