Smrt Chinese Bus Drivers Strike

[Guest Guest]

Who takes bus 198? If u do, u will surely come across this local Chinese driver who never failed to greet ever single passanger with a gd aft n a smile. Sadly most people just ignore his kind gesture. Lets take this moment to return the smile if any driver gives u one.

Yes, very wonderful to board his bus. I returned by saying 'Ni hao'. This chinese driver is an enlightened being who knows the meaning of a beautiful life. A lot of ppl did not expect this. Simply magical bus ride. Bless this angel!

[gstc82]

Yes, very wonderful to board his bus. I returned by saying 'Ni hao'. This chinese driver is an enlightened being who knows the meaning of a beautiful life. A lot of ppl did not expect this. Simply magical bus ride. Bless this angel!

he spoke in English and I clearly a SINGAPoREAN Chinese.

[gstc82]

Dear guest, I take it that u failed to see the word "LOCAL Chinese", which is SINGAPOREAN Chinese. If u want to say "NI HAO" to this friendly Singaporean sbs driver, it will be appreciated.

[Guest Guest]

Dear guest, I take it that u failed to see the word "LOCAL Chinese", which is SINGAPOREAN Chinese. If u want to say "NI HAO" to this friendly Singaporean sbs driver, it will be appreciated.

LOCAL or SINGAPOREAN but still Chinese & human, too.

All living harmoniously on this land

[MobyDick]

Coming back to the PRC drivers, the first report from the Straits Times wrote that the increment for the Malaysian drivers was $275 whereas that for PRC drivers was only $75. I cannot help but wonder why the enormous difference. How would you feel if you were to receive such an apparently gross inequality in treatment? After all, the work is the same and the competence of English is not as crucial as working in a restaurant or a government department. I am not condoning the drivers' rash action of strike but I feel that SMRT has got a lot of explanation to do.

I shared the same sentiments.. could it be that they are given dorm to stay in return?

[Guest Guest]

The Malaysians are not provided accommodation and utilities; the PRCs are!

Talk about being ingrates, biting the hand that feeds them.

Not happy with the pay then fcuk back to China, we don't need these illegal strikers here to cause trouble.

[Guest Fact]

I don't think PRCs should be paid the same as Malaysian when they are provided with free transport and accommodation while Malaysians have to paid their own rental or otherwise bear the cost of travelling to and fro between JB and S'pore daily. Furthermore how can one compare PRCs paid to Malaysian when the former are contracts staffs while the latter are not.

PRCs earn $1075 monthly and that is equivalent to more than $5000 in yuan, is not easy to get this kind of salary back in their own country, they should be contended for what they have instead of putting on a strike in this peaceful land.

[Guest 新加坡公民]

Back in the 1990s or 2000s, I was very anti-PRC people who came to work here because of the negative publicity of wu-ya (black crows, i.e. women who tried to grab rich Sg men including married ones and shamelessly disrupted family harmony), prostitutes, peidu mama (already married and yet worked as you-know-what in order to get more $ for their children's education in Sg.), students who "studied" in private schools in the day but worked in karaoke lounges and bars, etc. at night. But as time went on, I noticed that PRC is undergoing a change. I was told by a highly educated PRC lady who has resided in Sg for many many years that PRC people in Sg. can be divided into 3 classes. The worst class - unscrupulous immoral money-grabbing opportunists - is decreasing.

But it is very true that locals shun many clerical and blue-collar jobs here. If you do not believe it, just pretend to hire locals by posting ads and see how many locals will turn up for interviews for such jobs. A private school principal put up an ad for an office administrator-cum-clerk vacancy but all she got were responses from Burmese, Filipinos and some Malaysians. Out of a mere trickle of locals who applied, none turned up for the interview, let alone negotiating the salary. Another of my friend who is a doctor posted an ad for a clinic assistant. The same thing happened. No locals want to take the job even though the salary was the market rate. One more friend who is running an IT business here has to do most of the work himself because of the same problem. So when talking about competition for the rice-bowl, we should be focusing on the middle and upper white collared jobs instead. So much for xenophobia.

Coming back to the PRC drivers, the first report from the Straits Times wrote that the increment for the Malaysian drivers was $275 whereas that for PRC drivers was only $75. I cannot help but wonder why the enormous difference. How would you feel if you were to receive such an apparently gross inequality in treatment? After all, the work is the same and the competence of English is not as crucial as working in a restaurant or a government department. I am not condoning the drivers' rash action of strike but I feel that SMRT has got a lot of explanation to do.

What do you mean by "to be a bus drive, competence of English is not as crucial"?

Salary increment and pay range are definately tie closely with your education background. PSLE/ NT/ NA/ GCE O/ GCE A/ Dip/ Degree/...

[Guest 新加坡公民]

What do you mean by "to be a bus drive, competence of English is not as crucial"?

Salary increment and pay range are definately tie closely with your education background. PSLE/ NT/ NA/ GCE O/ GCE A/ Dip/ Degree/...

Even cleaners are pay according to the number of Certs and Training they have undergo. Learning, unlearning and relearning. Increment don't come as easy as illegal strike.

[Guest Fair and square]

They should only pay the handsome one well, ugly one should not get equal perks.

[qedcwc]

I want to be impartial on this case.

From what I read, these PRC drivers were actually seeking equal remuneration like their Malaysian counterparts.

同工同酬。。

Did SMRT 大小眼 when they gave increment to their hordes of drivers?

SMRT may have erred in this area.. who knows, right?

According to official sources, PRC drivers were mostly employees on contract, while the Malaysian and Singaporean drivers were employed for long term. Hence, the difference in pay. To what extent is this true, I wouldn't know for sure.

The PRC drivers here were comparing their salary to the PRC drivers in Malaysia, not the Malaysians.

I dunno any PRC drivers in Malaysia. Most bus drivers in Malaysia are Malaysia's own local Malays. Don't simply deduce.

Even most of the PRC newcomers into Malaysia I have come across are not willing to learn Bahasa Malaysia out of the advantage of the Mandarin-proficient local Chinese Malaysian community. They enclose themselves into their own circles. Even spouses from PRC who wish to obtain PR or citizenship in Malaysia must pass a basic Bahasa Malaysia test.

[Guest Guest]

Even most of the PRC newcomers into Malaysia I have come across are not willing to learn Bahasa Malaysia out of the advantage of the Mandarin-proficient local Chinese Malaysian community.

These PRCs have to wake up their idea. They think they're still in China??

[RyanX]

Lets post some basic salary figure here

Before July: PRC $1000, Msia $1200, SG $1200

Oct: PRC $1075, Msia $1400, SG $1775

PRC no 13th month bonus, take mc deduct salary etc. Do you see the BIG GAP now? before July the gap only SGD200, but now is $325- $700, do you think this is justified? Imagine the company hire a new china guy now and his pay $700 more than his colleague as he has just converted to citizen? Is it fair to base on nationality and not performance?

Edited November 29, 2012 by RyanX

[RyanX]

Do you see MNC such as Google, Goldman has such discrimination? So should we encourage local companies to discriminate certain group of people just because they are drivers, cleaner born in other country?

Edited November 29, 2012 by RyanX

[junxiang]

Lets post some basic salary figure here

Before July: PRC $1000, Msia $1200, SG $1200

Oct: PRC $1075, Msia $1400, SG $1775

PRC no 13th month bonus, take mc deduct salary etc. Do you see the BIG GAP now? before July the gap only SGD200, but now is $325- $700, do you think this is justified? Imagine the company hire a new china guy now and his pay $700 more than his colleague as he has just converted to citizen? Is it fair to base on nationality and not performance?

What big gap u talking about?

are u aware the the China drivers are here on contract? all terms are agreed upon and stated in black and white. anyone forced them to sign the contract if they think it's unfair?

btw beside playing their salary, their gross salary have to include levy, lodging and transport to and fro work while the Malaysian have to take care of all these on their own. Factor in all these and u see who takes back more.

before asking for higher or "fairer" perks, why not asking themselves what right they have to do that or if they think they are "on par" with Malaysian drivers? Not only they dun know the road, they dun even know the road names. Instead, they ID those roads or even MRT stations by colours and numbers.

They are not able to communicate with passengers other than those who can speak Mandarin, even other chinese dialect also got problem. How to be on par leh?

The way they go on strike is that they are breaking contract that they agreed with initially cos they grow "smarter" (that's what they thought) and now trying to twist our arm with public outcry and sympathy, trying their luck to get their way.

But i think they are dead wrong. This is Singapore. The whole world is watching how we handle this case and I am 100% we will not disappoint them.

Edited November 29, 2012 by junxiang

[秀你悲伤的爱]

Agree with junxiang totally.

[Guest Smile]

He Jun Ling, 32. One of the instigator. Not bad looking.

[Guest Aiyoh]

He Jun Ling, 32. One of the instigator. Not bad looking.

Not bad looking??! Are you kidding me?

He looks like a typical dongbei PRC, those that you can find at People's Park Complex on weekends.

[qedcwc]

These PRCs have to wake up their idea. They think they're still in China??

Precisely. I had a classmate who lamented that one of his relatives complained that his China wife had to master Bahasa Malaysia in order to gain citizenship in Malaysia. I shot him back saying that our ancestors made effort to master the local language without any complaints and we are in a more favourable situation than these newcomers today. We can communicate with other ethnic groups better without so much worry of language barriers and we still retain our mother tongues. What makes them think that they are anyhow exclusive?

Heck, even the Bangladeshi, Burmese and Nepalese workers at the 24-hour mamak outlets in Malaysia could master sufficient Bahasa Malaysia to take orders from customers! So what's so difficult for those PRCs?

I witnessed two incidents where these PRCs are totally obnoxious in their attitudes on being employed in Singapore.

One at a Korean stall at the Food Republic at 313@Somerset, the staff was PRC and the customers was a Malay lady. The staff asked, "来，你要吃什么？" How ridiculous is that?!

Another one is this indoor pan mee stall at *scape Youth Park Kopitiam. The boss is probably local and the wife is PRC. The wife totally had to rely on customers pointing out the ingredients for her to serve them their orders, which was kinda annoying for me. And one day, there's this Indian guy in front of me who wanted his mee dry, and she couldn't understand him. After a few times, she tried turning to other customers in the line to get someone to help her and that was when I told her what she wanted in a very annoying and exasperated tone. How is she gonna cope if she's the only one manning the stall and the guy was the only customer in the line? Not exactly the makcik in the neighbouring nasi padang stall are gonna help her and the uncle and auntie at the other drinks stall are usually very busy at making the drinks and toasts.

[Guest Screw]

I witnessed two incidents where these PRCs are totally obnoxious in their attitudes on being employed in Singapore.

One at a Korean stall at the Food Republic at 313@Somerset, the staff was PRC and the customers was a Malay lady. The staff asked, "来，你要吃什么？" How ridiculous is that?!

Another one is this indoor pan mee stall at *scape Youth Park Kopitiam. The boss is probably local and the wife is PRC. The wife totally had to rely on customers pointing out the ingredients for her to serve them their orders, which was kinda annoying for me. And one day, there's this Indian guy in front of me who wanted his mee dry, and she couldn't understand him. After a few times, she tried turning to other customers in the line to get someone to help her and that was when I told her what she wanted in a very annoying and exasperated tone. How is she gonna cope if she's the only one manning the stall and the guy was the only customer in the line? Not exactly the makcik in the neighbouring nasi padang stall are gonna help her and the uncle and auntie at the other drinks stall are usually very busy at making the drinks and toasts.

:clap:

This is evidence that the PRCs come here expecting everyone, Chinese or non-Chinese, to accommodate them by bending over backward to speak to them in Mandarin.

Screw these PRCs, why should we accommodate them by speaking to them in Mandarin?

[qedcwc]

:clap:

This is evidence that the PRCs come here expecting everyone, Chinese or non-Chinese, to accommodate them by bending over backward to speak to them in Mandarin.

Screw these PRCs, why should we accommodate them by speaking to them in Mandarin?

I think it would be best we speak to them in Cantonese, Hokkien, Teochew, Hainan, Foochow or Hakka next time to frustrate them.

These were our original dialects from South China long before Mandarin (which originated from North China) was enforced to become the common language in China. And we in Southeast Asia can pride in still being able to preserve this heritage better than they do!

Edited November 30, 2012 by qedcwc

[SjShiok-FreeMassage]

What big gap u talking about?

are u aware the the China drivers are here on contract? all terms are agreed upon and stated in black and white. anyone forced them to sign the contract if they think it's unfair?

btw beside playing their salary, their gross salary have to include levy, lodging and transport to and fro work while the Malaysian have to take care of all these on their own. Factor in all these and u see who takes back more.

before asking for higher or "fairer" perks, why not asking themselves what right they have to do that or if they think they are "on par" with Malaysian drivers? Not only they dun know the road, they dun even know the road names. Instead, they ID those roads or even MRT stations by colours and numbers.

Seems many of Singaporeans have bias views on this matter. In my opinion if you were the one being discriminated (Let say you were employed to Dubai, and got such treatment, you as Singaporean was the lowest paid compare with Middle Eastern man, while same work load) Will you accept it?

In return they provide you accomodation with not so great standard (bed bug).

I think if the company want to have such gap due to providing transport and accomodation they can learn from Australia Fruit picking jobs industries (Where most local also shunning these jobs)

The industry relied on all the holiday makers, but it is clear upfront your pay per hour or per bucket = AUD X. On top of that you need to pay your own accomodation AUD X/week and transportation to/from the farm AUD X/day.

At least it is clear and no one can argue why there are gap.

All what we read based on reports (That might be bias as controlled by certain holdings to pro gahmen/es em r te).

And did they reveal what is their contract when ruling these china driver to come to Singapore?

(We need to ignore on the currency conversion as the SG living costs far higher than China)

If they think they can handle china men, just break their contract sent them all home. Hired more locals or Malaysians. The problems will you take the jobs?

Edited November 30, 2012 by SjShiok-FreeMassage

[snowball]

陈川仁谴责171中国司机越底线, 绝不容忍非法罢工, 警方也已介入调查。

罢工司机分化成3派

无辜受牵连, 想上班, 但被死硬派施加压力不准他们离开宿舍。

真的生病, 因害怕拿病假。

死硬派, 故意拿病假不上班。一名车长说已视死如归, 大不了回中国开旅行巴士。

中国籍司机声言, 投诉没人理才会罢工。

9中国籍司机警局受盘问, 传受调查司机是罢工发起人。

宿舍外还有警车驻守, 传罢工者将被捕, 司机人心惶惶。

身为旁观者的我们, 还是别太主观, 应该以客观的态度静观其变,

毕竟, 针没刺进自己的肉就不会觉得疼, 让我们拭目以待, 继续关注此罢工风波事件的后续发展吧。

Edited November 30, 2012 by snowball

[Guest Guest]

I think it would be best we speak to them in Cantonese, Hokkien, Teochew, Hainan, Foochow or Hakka next time to frustrate them.

These were our original dialects from South China long before Mandarin (which originated from North China) was enforced to become the common language in China. And we in Southeast Asia can pride in still being able to preserve this heritage better than they do!

And these PRCs dare to say outrageous things like

"You're a Singaporean Chinese, how come you don't know how to speak Mandarin?"

Obviously they don't know the existence of Peranakans, or the existence of Singaporean, Malaysian, Bruneian and Indonesian Chinese who were educated in English schools in the 1960s and 1970s.

Furthermore, even if we knew how to speak Mandarin, why should we accommodate these PRCs by speaking Mandarin to them?

Screw these PRCs, they're damn audacious thinking the whole of Singapore must revolve around their language preference.

Tell them to speak in English or else fcuk off.

[Guest Supporter]

Very well said based on logic & reasoning.

They accepted the contract then they abide to it. Just like any employees who accepted a salary & upon working realized Tt others r lower or higher, they can choose to stay or resign.

If they want same pay, why did we employ them in the first place? They r employed becos of lower cost!

What big gap u talking about?

are u aware the the China drivers are here on contract? all terms are agreed upon and stated in black and white. anyone forced them to sign the contract if they think it's unfair?

btw beside playing their salary, their gross salary have to include levy, lodging and transport to and fro work while the Malaysian have to take care of all these on their own. Factor in all these and u see who takes back more.

before asking for higher or "fairer" perks, why not asking themselves what right they have to do that or if they think they are "on par" with Malaysian drivers? Not only they dun know the road, they dun even know the road names. Instead, they ID those roads or even MRT stations by colours and numbers.

They are not able to communicate with passengers other than those who can speak Mandarin, even other chinese dialect also got problem. How to be on par leh?

The way they go on strike is that they are breaking contract that they agreed with initially cos they grow "smarter" (that's what they thought) and now trying to twist our arm with public outcry and sympathy, trying their luck to get their way.

But i think they are dead wrong. This is Singapore. The whole world is watching how we handle this case and I am 100% we will not disappoint them.

[qedcwc]

Chinese Southeast Asians are kinda an easy prey for them.

If they were in the United States, I dun think they would dare to say that.

[Guest Guest]

Singaporeans were accused of being choosy, want comfortable environment, unwilling to take lower pay, so there is labour shortage & hence these foreigners.

Now when these foreigners are in the same shoes as us, although their pay is higher than in their own country, aren't they also complaining of lower pay & uncomfortable environment? And if we were to provide them with higher salary, then it defeats the purpose & objectives of bringing them in. We are back to square one isnt it? Just that now we have much more people here!!

If they were to bring in their family & live like us, u see if they will protest even more.

[junxiang]

Seems many of Singaporeans have bias views on this matter. In my opinion if you were the one being discriminated (Let say you were employed to Dubai, and got such treatment, you as Singaporean was the lowest paid compare with Middle Eastern man, while same work load) Will you accept it?

In return they provide you accomodation with not so great standard (bed bug).

I think if the company want to have such gap due to providing transport and accomodation they can learn from Australia Fruit picking jobs industries (Where most local also shunning these jobs)

The industry relied on all the holiday makers, but it is clear upfront your pay per hour or per bucket = AUD X. On top of that you need to pay your own accomodation AUD X/week and transportation to/from the farm AUD X/day.

At least it is clear and no one can argue why there are gap.

All what we read based on reports (That might be bias as controlled by certain holdings to pro gahmen/es em r te).

And did they reveal what is their contract when ruling these china driver to come to Singapore?

(We need to ignore on the currency conversion as the SG living costs far higher than China)

If they think they can handle china men, just break their contract sent them all home. Hired more locals or Malaysians. The problems will you take the jobs?

Singaporean Bias? China driver discriminated?

I will use the word China people and not Chinese to discribe those Chinese from China in order not to confuse as we are also Chinese.

Does the China people operate the same way? Agreed on something, even on black and white, then later when found that the terms are not to their favour, try to twist and turn their way out of it, using public outcry, discrimination, sympathy and even ignorance.

If I am not wrong, the terms of employment were translated to them and the written agreement should even have both languages and the whole contract terms translated to them in their own home ground before they even come over.

Although the job scope is the same, the terms are all different.

All the company need to do is just to adhere to the terms of the contract but instead, they do more than that by giving the China drivers additional increments like the $75 in July and the latest on, this month and the strange thing is - nobody talks about it thankfully nit instead, took it for granted.

If the China driver wants the same salary as the Malaysian PLUS their perks like accomodation and transportation, that will make their package even more than the Malaysian while their quality is definitely below them. Would they still be competitive in this case? For the same amount of money, I rather employ more Malaysian if I am SMRT.

As for the bed bugs case, do we really need to talk about it? ask themselves where these bed bugs comes about. Those people would rather spend their off days sending sms or talking cock to their love ones at home, going Causeway Point mixing with fellow An Tiong and doing their contribution to RWS and MBS instead of cleaning up their place and sunning their beds.

Can u imagine a group of hunky guys' living condition if they not into house cleaning? this problem is just a matter of time. Need the company to give u a maid too?

[Guest 新加坡公民]

_{I was talking in relative terms. Of course you need basic English to know the road signs in English to pass the driving test. What I meant was that the level of competence in English required differs according to the nature of the job. Factory work, e.g. in the assembly line requires no English whereas in restaurants, e,g, waiters and waitresses may need to answer questions from non-Chinese customers regarding the menu etc. Of course, dishwashers and cooks do not require high competence in English in restaurants. For drivers, there is minimal interaction with passengers. We do not even smile at them or greet them. Sometimes, passengers will ask questions regarding routes and fares but all this information is available from bus guides and display boards at bus stops.}

_{If increment differentials are based on further training certificates in addition to their basic driving training, then such details should be clearly made known to them to avoid future misperception.}

We are talking about PRC who work in SG and not Singaporean. They can't even read the most simple road name or communicate in simple understandable English and yet they are expecting the same salary as Malaysian workers.

Btw, do you know Public Transport Driver are called Service Provider too? Don't tell us English competence are not as important?

[junxiang]

Very well said based on logic & reasoning.

They accepted the contract then they abide to it. Just like any employees who accepted a salary & upon working realized Tt others r lower or higher, they can choose to stay or resign.

If they want same pay, why did we employ them in the first place? They r employed becos of lower cost!

lower cost? cheap la!

[junxiang]

Seems many of Singaporeans have bias views on this matter. In my opinion if you were the one being discriminated (Let say you were employed to Dubai, and got such treatment, you as Singaporean was the lowest paid compare with Middle Eastern man, while same work load) Will you accept it?

Good question! will I accept it?

Before that, I will do all my necessary fact finding within my capacity. Will read the full contract word for word. If I found it not to my favour, I will reject the contract. But once I accept it, I will abide by it and not cry baby make a big hooha. Cos I am a Singaporean, the little red dot, not dragons from the GREAT China. We Singaporean go "law by law" ok? Rem Jack Neo's movie?

U happy with my reply?

Edited November 30, 2012 by junxiang

[Guest Guest]

_{I was talking in relative terms. Of course you need basic English to know the road signs in English to pass the driving test. What I meant was that the level of competence in English required differs according to the nature of the job. Factory work, e.g. in the assembly line requires no English whereas in restaurants, e,g, waiters and waitresses may need to answer questions from non-Chinese customers regarding the menu etc. Of course, dishwashers and cooks do not require high competence in English in restaurants. For drivers, there is minimal interaction with passengers. We do not even smile at them or greet them. Sometimes, passengers will ask questions regarding routes and fares but all this information is available from bus guides and display boards at bus stops.}

_{If increment differentials are based on further training certificates in addition to their basic driving training, then such details should be clearly made known to them to avoid future misperception.}

If increment are not differential based on further training certificates and individual performance then what the purpose of appraisal? Since so who would be encourage to continue upgrade their skill?

[qedcwc]

Whether these PRCs were given translations and explanations on the terms and conditions on being employed as a bus captain in SMRT before signing on the dotted line is a bit doubtful here. We cannot rule out that they may have been hired via employment agencies in China who may do anything just to gain money out of these deals, putting these 'guilible' PRCs in victimized positions. Often, big companies may say that they go by the rules, but there's no telling what the middlemen did just to secure the deals, like this one: http://www.huffingto...a_n_932840.html

Edited November 30, 2012 by qedcwc

[junxiang]

Whether these PRCs were given translations and explanations on the terms and conditions on being employed as a bus captain in SMRT before signing on the dotted line is a bit doubtful here. We cannot rule out that they may have been hired via employment agencies in China who may do anything just to gain money out of these deals, putting these 'guilible' PRCs in victimized positions. Often, big companies may say that they go by the rules, but there's no telling what the middlemen did just to secure the deals, like this one: http://www.huffingto...a_n_932840.html

If the business system in Singapore need to cater to what u saying, our whole system will collapse overnight. A conditional contract with so many in case and what if.

China people guilible? Wait till u get it from them, like me, then u know

Edited November 30, 2012 by junxiang

[RyanX]

ASK Yourself, will you accept the contract? Of course you won't as you already know it is unfair. But do the drivers know that before they arrive? Sweet talks, promises etc may have lured the drivers into accepting the contract. Remember the salary gap with local was SGD200 or less when they start working/sign the contract and now the gap has widen to more than SGD700. The PRC has accepted that their starting pay is lower than locals, but why WIDEN the salary gap with locals before their contract end? They can't resign or seek other jobs as they are tied to the contract. Nobody will listen to them and they have no other choice. They do not know any English but local companies still hire them as front line service staff, who should take the blame? They are not familar with local culture or local road sign etc, why never give them enough training?

Edited November 30, 2012 by RyanX

[abang]

Just like foreign students, these PRC bus captains have the slightest idea of Singapore.

Furthermore when they realised that they are getting 2x the amount than what they earn in China, they plunged straight into the offers.

Actually from what was printed/according to the press, the cash amount may be smaller than their other counterparts but factor in the free accommodation and utilities bill, they get to keep every cent.. not bad at all.

So it is a lesson for all foreigners to learn.. dont play play here.

In Singapore, everything follows the book .. you go on strike and then to jail...

[Anderson]

No one here actually questioned why the bus drivers decided to strike??

From the press reports, it seems that they indeed have grievances with their pay package and accomadation conditions but it all fell onto deaf ears!

Usually when such things like strike happens, the company concern will immediately stood up to defend themselves, claiming no wrong doings on their part etc.

But here, instead, they sheepishly said: "We could have done better", acknowledging their poor HR skill and communication with their workers and worse, did nothing to address them!

If not for this strike, we will never know that SMRT charged each driver $275 monthly and and put them 8 in dorm room - $2,200 per room, why so expensive?

And unlike the construction workers where they all leave for work the almost the same time, these drivers are all on different shifts so resting peacefully in a dorm for 8 will not be easy.

In history, ancient and recent, all revolutions and rebellions started because the leaders and those in charge were not listening!

I must say what the PRC drivers did, really made these big establishments wake up their ideas!

[RyanX]

heard that they need to pay SGD5000 to the AGENT. so is it stilll worth working in SG?

[Guest ShameOnSingaporean]

If not for this strike, we will never know that SMRT charged each driver $275 monthly and and put them 8 in dorm room - $2,200 per room, why so expensive?

And unlike the construction workers where they all leave for work the almost the same time, these drivers are all on different shifts so resting peacefully in a dorm for 8 will not be easy.

In history, ancient and recent, all revolutions and rebellions started because the leaders and those in charge were not listening!

I must say what the PRC drivers did, really made these big establishments wake up their ideas!

Really? r ur info realible or not? If they were charge so much that mean SMRT is a blood sucking dracula company. Yet here so many Singaporean condemn their doing and asking them to leave .... Shame on Singaporean who keep saying others taking their bowl rice away ....

[Anderson]

Whether these PRCs were given translations and explanations on the terms and conditions on being employed as a bus captain in SMRT before signing on the dotted line is a bit doubtful here. We cannot rule out that they may have been hired via employment agencies in China who may do anything just to gain money out of these deals, putting these 'guilible' PRCs in victimized positions. Often, big companies may say that they go by the rules, but there's no telling what the middlemen did just to secure the deals, like this one: http://www.huffingto...a_n_932840.html

Obviously they were given a contract, maybe in 20 pages too, complete with Chinese translation. But then the contract is only one sided and it will never ever also spelled out that Singaporeans are getting this and Malaysians are getting that etc.

The disparities were only discovered when they started comparing their payslips.

Have you noticed that SMRT had been very very quiet except saying those now already very famous and widely used : " we could have done better" ?

Obviously SMRT also realised that they are also indirectly the culprit ( 罪魁祸首 ) causing and resulting the the strike.

[Guest Leung Wing Yiu]

I think it would be best we speak to them in Cantonese, Hokkien, Teochew, Hainan, Foochow or Hakka next time to frustrate them.

These were our original dialects from South China long before Mandarin (which originated from North China) was enforced to become the common language in China. And we in Southeast Asia can pride in still being able to preserve this heritage better than they do!

True (except for your last sentence since these Southern Chinese languages are the native language of the Southern people in their respective provinces). You don't hear of Mainlanders telling the Hongkongers off for not speaking Mandarin. Both Cantonese and Mandarin, and all the other Southern Chinese languages, after all, are "Chinese". Sadly, the younger Singapore generation does not have any profiency in the Southern Chinese languages.

[Guest Guest]

Pay discussions are usually Private and Confidential. If you are the HR manager and doing an interview, do you tell them this fellow A is getting so much per month , this fellow B is getting so much? Smrt would just say, here, this is what i am offering you, take it or leave it. As someone pointed out, looking at what they are getting/earning more than what they can earn in China, of course most would take the job offer.

And if they are only on a 2 year contract, why the hell would the company willing to spent extra money in upgrading these PRCs on upgrading courses?

[Guest SIA Boy]

Just on the subject of doing same work but unequal pay, do u know tht Singapore airlines employ Japanese stewardess and they are the only one with monthly Hsing allowance of abt

$600 . And they are guranteed a 6 mths bonus yearly. They can't speak English well at all. So tell me y Singapore crew or malaysian or Indonesian crew go on strike too.they all do the same job.talk abt injustice, the local crew hve to just swallow or exit fr job if u fun like it, tht how SIA treat their crew

[junxiang]

Btw, if I am not wrong, this policy that offer two difference scheme for different nationality dun come from the SMRT but from MOM themselves. I understand that China workers can only be here on a contract basis and that contract carry a banker's guarantee of $5000 should the worker go missing in here or got pregnant (in the case of female).

Whatever the case, the 5K is to make sure the employer ensure the worker leave the country and not stay here as illegal immigrant should their work permit expire or cancel for whatever reasons.

Malaysian workers works on a different scheme.

[Guest Guest]

Very happy for these workers who are deported. Just a pity that out of 180, only 29 received this wonderful pre-Christmas value pack. Boy, these lucky few, Congrats!

Since they are so unhappy here, I am sure they feel better off gone. For them is a victory! Royal, escorted airport transfer, plus pro-rated bonus. What more to ask for?

It is so tough here right, I am sure they will find a better paying job in their own country with better living environment. So why suffer here?

If it is not up to their expectation even in their native land, they can always consider staging a similar act there. By then they should be more experienced

[Clickclock]

This is really frustrating to read...

Edited December 2, 2012 by Clickclock

[junxiang]

Very happy for these workers who are deported. Just a pity that out of 180, only 29 received this wonderful pre-Christmas value pack. Boy, these lucky few, Congrats!

Since they are so unhappy here, I am sure they feel better off gone. For them is a victory! Royal, escorted airport transfer, plus pro-rated bonus. What more to ask for?

It is so tough here right, I am sure they will find a better paying job in their own country with better living environment. So why suffer here?

If it is not up to their expectation even in their native land, they can always consider staging a similar act there. By then they should be more experienced

They are lucky we just send from back here. Give them a chance to break contract without compensation.

IN their own country, they send tanks after them.

[MobyDick]

Seems many of Singaporeans have bias views on this matter. In my opinion if you were the one being discriminated (Let say you were employed to Dubai, and got such treatment, you as Singaporean was the lowest paid compare with Middle Eastern man, while same work load) Will you accept it?

In return they provide you accomodation with not so great standard (bed bug).

I won't accept it if I'm more hardworking but getting lesser pay than others..but neither would I participate in a strike or protest. I will negotiate and if unsuccessful, leave and look for better opportunity elsewhere, to prove I'm worth the asking salary. Afterall I do not want to leave a bad name or reputation in the resume/ industry.

SMRT could have done better in terms of communications when it comes to money matters.. same applies to any organizations to avoid any unhappiness/ misunderstanding. Nonetheless, we should not assume that increment and bonuses will be given by company these days.

[Slynn]

IMO, it will not be fair to Malaysian drivers who have extra language skill sets as an advantage if they were to draw the same salary as Chinese drivers. Malaysian driver can understand English, Chinese, Malay and maybe even cantonese. Some PRC drivers only know Mandarin, and very very basic English.

Moreover they do not have extra allowance covered for housing.

They want equality? Let's settle it the meritocratic way

If they go for extra English courses and is certified to pass the test of english proficiency (or even dialect or malay or tamil), then are they allowed to draw similar salary range. If they fail to do so, then they should just be content with what they have. U get what your ability pays u, not ultimately by comparison to what others are drawing.

AND FOR GOD SAKE SMRT NEED TO IMPROVE THE PRC DRIVER'S ENGLISH. [i don't even know how they sorta prepare them for communication using English] One driver just made my blood boil when a tourist asked him, "Does this bus goes to the botanic garden?" and he just shook his hand and head. I had to stop the confused tourist from alighting because that bus DO go to botanic garden. It is disappointing, really, how some PRC drivers disregard people who do not speak mandarin.

Hope SMRT can deal with this issue better, but well, it's a good lesson taught for them.

Edited December 2, 2012 by Slynn

[Guest Guest]

AND FOR GOD SAKE SMRT NEED TO IMPROVE THE PRC DRIVER'S ENGLISH. [i don't even know how they sorta prepare them for communication using English] One driver just made my blood boil when a tourist asked him, "Does this bus goes to the botanic garden?" and he just shook his hand and head. I had to stop the confused tourist from alighting because that bus DO go to botanic garden. It is disappointing, really, how some PRC drivers disregard people who do not speak mandarin.

Thank you Slynn for writing this.

I had exactly the same experiences multiplied a few times.

Tourists or non-Chinese (eg Malays and Indians) can be asking for simple directions and these fcuking PRC drivers will be acting blur or shaking his head or asking them whether they can jiang hua yu (speak Mandarin).

Tell these PRC drivers to fcuk off!

Who the hell do they think they are to disregard people who do not speak Mandarin?

This is Singapore, not China. Not happy then fcuk back to China, they wont be missed.