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By Joy Fang
A TOTAL of 20 SMRT bus drivers from China are currently assisting the police in investigations into possible breaches of the law, as a result of a strike on Monday and Tuesday.
In a statement yesterday, the transport operator also said that all its bus services are running as scheduled and attendance of its drivers is "back to normal".
SMRT had said that six of its drivers did not return to work yesterday, but investigations revealed that the group had valid reasons for being absent.
On Monday, 171 Chinese drivers did not report for work as they were unhappy with "unfair wages" and "poor living conditions". On Tuesday, 88 of them did not show up.
The Government described the drivers' actions as an "illegal strike" on Tuesday, and said they would be dealt with if found to have broken the law.
Addressing the drivers' concerns yesterday, SMRT explained that its Chinese bus drivers and those from Malaysia are employed under different terms. The Chinese are under two-year contracts while the Malaysians are permanent employees.
While the starting pay for the Chinese drivers is $200 lower, they are provided with accommodation, utilities and daily transport to work.
In July, all SMRT drivers in permanent employment received an increment in their starting pay as part of an "ongoing salary review".
A special increment of $75 was also given to drivers from China, even though they were not entitled to it under contractual terms. Another round of salary adjustments for permanent employees was made last month.
SMRT said: "Similarly, additional adjustment of $25 per month for (drivers) from China was finalised last week and we were in the process of communicating this."
The statement added that SMRT "pays competitive market wages", and that its remuneration packages for drivers from China and Malaysia are "equitable".
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- Special: 171 Chinese SMRT bus drivers strike |
Admitting that it could have taken swifter action to improve dormitory conditions, SMRT said fumigation works have been scheduled at the drivers' Woodlands dormitory, but have not been carried out yet.
SMRT added that it has decided to provide alternative accommodation when the leases at the drivers' dormitories expire from early next year.
joyfang@sph.com.sg
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Chinese bus drivers refused to work
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(Photos: Shin Min Daily News, ST, TNP & Reuters) |
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