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UPDATE: A spokesperson from the Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed that all 29 former SMRT bus drivers have been repatriated to their home country. They were placed on flights on Sunday, December 2, between 12.15am and 4.35pm. They were cooperative and the process took place without incident. PRC Embassy officials, as well as SMRT staff, assisted in the repatriation exercise.
SINGAPORE - Singapore will deport 29 mainland Chinese bus drivers and prosecute five others for taking part in the city-state's first strike since the 1980s, the government said Saturday.
The Ministry of Manpower said in a statement that 29 drivers' work permits had been revoked and immigration officials "will be repatriating them" for involvement in a two-day stoppage to demand better pay and working conditions.
"The strike was planned and premeditated. It disrupted our public transport which is an essential service, and posed a threat to public order," the statement said.
A fifth driver has been arrested and will be charged in addition to four others who have been brought to court for allegedly instigating the November 26-27 work stoppage at state-linked transport firm SMRT.
If found guilty of involvement in an illegal strike, they could be jailed for up to a year or fined a maximum of S$2,000 - the equivalent of two months' wages for a driver.
Strikes are illegal in Singapore for workers in "essential services" such as transport unless they give 14 days' prior notice and comply with other requirements.
SMRT bus strike: 5th charged, 29 to be deported
Click on thumbnails to view. Story continues after photos.
(Photos: ST, TNP) |
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SMRT CEO makes appearance at Serangoon dorm
Click on thumbnails to view. (Photos: SMRT & ST) |
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