The authority decides to charge 4 SMRT bus drivers for instigating an illegal strike involving an essential service. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1240133/1/.html
The Chinese embassy in Singapore has expressed concern about the arrest action being taken against their nationals working in Singapore. http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/chinese-embassy-expresses-concern-about-arrests-four-smrt-bus-drivers-
This is likely to lead to a diplomatic row that could turn quite ugly, if it is not being handled properly. Here are the issues at stake:
1) There is a law involving an illegal strike and disruption of essential public service, which the Singapore authority has to enforce.
2) The 4 "instigators" could feel that they are expressing their grievance over pay and working conditions and unfair discrimination.
3) It is possible that many of the foreign bus drivers could have paid a large sum of money to come and work in Singapore. They probably found the cost of living and the terms of employment to be unsatisfactory and they are now stuck with these terms, and they have no avenues to express their grievance. Their government would probably be required to take their side to protect their "human rights".
4) This incident could probably put the employment and other practices in Singapore in an unfavorable light, especially the weak bargaining position of not only the foreign workers, but the local workers as well. It would also show some of the laws in Singapore to be unjust.
5) It is probable that the 4 "instigators were initially not aware about the law in Singapore and have not been advised. It might be possible that they were warned and they did not care anyway, as they have "nothing more to lose".
Whatever is the situation, it will be difficult for the Singapore authority to enforce the law harshly, considering the circumstances. A better way is for the authority to get the help of the Chinese embassy to solve this issue. A good outcome is for these 4 "instigators" to be let off and even allowed to return home with passage given by the government or their embassy. After that, we will have to review our practices and some laws that are perceived to be unjust.
Tan Kin Lian
The Chinese embassy in Singapore has expressed concern about the arrest action being taken against their nationals working in Singapore. http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/chinese-embassy-expresses-concern-about-arrests-four-smrt-bus-drivers-
This is likely to lead to a diplomatic row that could turn quite ugly, if it is not being handled properly. Here are the issues at stake:
1) There is a law involving an illegal strike and disruption of essential public service, which the Singapore authority has to enforce.
2) The 4 "instigators" could feel that they are expressing their grievance over pay and working conditions and unfair discrimination.
3) It is possible that many of the foreign bus drivers could have paid a large sum of money to come and work in Singapore. They probably found the cost of living and the terms of employment to be unsatisfactory and they are now stuck with these terms, and they have no avenues to express their grievance. Their government would probably be required to take their side to protect their "human rights".
4) This incident could probably put the employment and other practices in Singapore in an unfavorable light, especially the weak bargaining position of not only the foreign workers, but the local workers as well. It would also show some of the laws in Singapore to be unjust.
5) It is probable that the 4 "instigators were initially not aware about the law in Singapore and have not been advised. It might be possible that they were warned and they did not care anyway, as they have "nothing more to lose".
Whatever is the situation, it will be difficult for the Singapore authority to enforce the law harshly, considering the circumstances. A better way is for the authority to get the help of the Chinese embassy to solve this issue. A good outcome is for these 4 "instigators" to be let off and even allowed to return home with passage given by the government or their embassy. After that, we will have to review our practices and some laws that are perceived to be unjust.
Tan Kin Lian
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