Thursday, December 6, 2012
HK unionists protest outside S'pore consulate over bus strike clampdown
HK unionists protest outside S'pore consulate over bus strike clampdown
By Roland Lim | Posted: 05 December 2012 1809 hrs
HONG KONG: Hong Kong's trade union body held a protest at the Singapore Consulate on Wednesday as a show of solidarity with the Chinese mainland bus drivers who held illegal strikes in Singapore on 26 and 27 November.
About 20 members of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions called on the Singapore government to reinstate the 29 drivers who were repatriated and to drop the charges for the five who are detained.
Scuffles broke out between the protesters, building security personnel, and police when protesters were prevented from accessing the 9th floor Consulate office at Admiralty Centre to submit their petition letter.
The protesters were eventually granted access after a short stand-off.
The labour group said that Singapore did not respect international labour standards that allow workers to strike and called for equal remuneration for migrant workers.
SMRT bus drivers from China in strikes on 26 and 27 November protested for pay equal to that of their Malaysian counterparts, and for better housing conditions.
The Singapore government subsequently called the strike an "illegal strike" as 14 days' notice was not given to their employer.
This is mandatory under Singapore law for workers providing an "essential service".
29 drivers were eventually repatriated while five were detained by the police. One has been sentenced to six weeks' jail.
"Chinese workers, being migrant workers, feel aggrieved and may not know all the avenues that are available to them," said Lee Cheuk-Yan, general secretary of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions.
"So it is a matter of information for migrant workers, and also a matter for the Singapore government to review the law and support for migrant workers instead of jailing them," he added.
The protesters also called on the Singapore government to amend the law stipulating that workers providing essential services need to give 14 days' advanced notice before striking.
A statement issued by Singapore's National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) in response to the protest said that both local and migrant workers in Singapore have a right under Singapore's labour legislation to take industrial action or go on strike.
It said workers can do so if they follow the laws in Singapore.
NTUC said it had conveyed its position to the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions on two occasions, once on 30 November before the protest and once on Wednesday afternoon.
- CNA/jc
- wong chee tat :)
By Roland Lim | Posted: 05 December 2012 1809 hrs
HONG KONG: Hong Kong's trade union body held a protest at the Singapore Consulate on Wednesday as a show of solidarity with the Chinese mainland bus drivers who held illegal strikes in Singapore on 26 and 27 November.
About 20 members of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions called on the Singapore government to reinstate the 29 drivers who were repatriated and to drop the charges for the five who are detained.
Scuffles broke out between the protesters, building security personnel, and police when protesters were prevented from accessing the 9th floor Consulate office at Admiralty Centre to submit their petition letter.
The protesters were eventually granted access after a short stand-off.
The labour group said that Singapore did not respect international labour standards that allow workers to strike and called for equal remuneration for migrant workers.
SMRT bus drivers from China in strikes on 26 and 27 November protested for pay equal to that of their Malaysian counterparts, and for better housing conditions.
The Singapore government subsequently called the strike an "illegal strike" as 14 days' notice was not given to their employer.
This is mandatory under Singapore law for workers providing an "essential service".
29 drivers were eventually repatriated while five were detained by the police. One has been sentenced to six weeks' jail.
"Chinese workers, being migrant workers, feel aggrieved and may not know all the avenues that are available to them," said Lee Cheuk-Yan, general secretary of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions.
"So it is a matter of information for migrant workers, and also a matter for the Singapore government to review the law and support for migrant workers instead of jailing them," he added.
The protesters also called on the Singapore government to amend the law stipulating that workers providing essential services need to give 14 days' advanced notice before striking.
A statement issued by Singapore's National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) in response to the protest said that both local and migrant workers in Singapore have a right under Singapore's labour legislation to take industrial action or go on strike.
It said workers can do so if they follow the laws in Singapore.
NTUC said it had conveyed its position to the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions on two occasions, once on 30 November before the protest and once on Wednesday afternoon.
- CNA/jc
- wong chee tat :)
4 ex-SMRT bus drivers from China charged with instigating strike granted bail
4 ex-SMRT bus drivers from China charged with instigating strike granted bail
By Alice Chia | Posted: 06 December 2012 1232 hrs
SINGAPORE: The four ex-SMRT drivers from China who have been charged with instigating an illegal strike have been granted bail on Thursday.
He Jun Ling, who faces two charges of inciting SMRT drivers to take part in the strike on 26 and 27 November, was granted bail of S$20,000. His passport will have to be impounded.
According to court documents, He, 32, also made an online post about the strike on Chinese website Baidu, allegedly asking other workers to go on MC together.
Gao Yue Qiang, 32, Wang Xian Jie, 39 and Liu Xiang Ying, 33, were granted bail of S$10,000 each. Their passports will have to be impounded.
In response to a question from District Judge May Lucius Mesenas, the four accused said they're not able to raise the money.
Two officials from the Chinese embassy were present in court.
- CNA/ck
- wong chee tat :)
By Alice Chia | Posted: 06 December 2012 1232 hrs
SINGAPORE: The four ex-SMRT drivers from China who have been charged with instigating an illegal strike have been granted bail on Thursday.
He Jun Ling, who faces two charges of inciting SMRT drivers to take part in the strike on 26 and 27 November, was granted bail of S$20,000. His passport will have to be impounded.
According to court documents, He, 32, also made an online post about the strike on Chinese website Baidu, allegedly asking other workers to go on MC together.
Gao Yue Qiang, 32, Wang Xian Jie, 39 and Liu Xiang Ying, 33, were granted bail of S$10,000 each. Their passports will have to be impounded.
In response to a question from District Judge May Lucius Mesenas, the four accused said they're not able to raise the money.
Two officials from the Chinese embassy were present in court.
- CNA/ck
- wong chee tat :)
Sit-in on top of crane in Jurong by 2 China workers over work dispute
Sit-in on top of crane in Jurong by 2 China workers over work dispute
Posted: 06 December 2012 1204 hrs
SINGAPORE: Two workers from China are sitting on top of two cranes at a construction site in Jurong Port Road and are refusing to come down over what appears to be a work dispute.
Police said they were alerted about this incident at about 6:35am on Thursday at 31 Jurong Port Road.
A spokesman from the Singapore Civil Defence Force said each man is perched up on a crane, which is about 10 storeys high.
Officials from the Ministry of Manpower are at the scene.
- CNA/ck
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 06 December 2012 1204 hrs
SINGAPORE: Two workers from China are sitting on top of two cranes at a construction site in Jurong Port Road and are refusing to come down over what appears to be a work dispute.
Police said they were alerted about this incident at about 6:35am on Thursday at 31 Jurong Port Road.
A spokesman from the Singapore Civil Defence Force said each man is perched up on a crane, which is about 10 storeys high.
Officials from the Ministry of Manpower are at the scene.
- CNA/ck
- wong chee tat :)
Terence Cao happy to be a father
Terence Cao happy to be a father
By Han Wei Chou | Posted: 05 December 2012 1726 hrs
SINGAPORE: A woman from Shanghai came to Singapore in October and claimed that Singapore actor Terence Cao is the father of her 19-month-old daughter.
Cao confirmed on Wednesday through his lawyer that a DNA test has been conducted on the child, and that he is indeed the child's father.
"Initially it was a shock but now he is happy. He is happy to know that he is a father," said Cao's lawyer Sunil Singh Panoo.
He went on to reveal that they are now negotiating with the child's mother over child maintenance issues.
"His stand from the very start is that so long as he is the father, he will pay, so long as the amount is reasonable," said Cao's lawyer.
He expressed that the amount of child maintenance Cao pays will depend on the income level of both parties as well as "the child's reasonable expenses".
-CNA/h
- wong chee tat :)
By Han Wei Chou | Posted: 05 December 2012 1726 hrs
SINGAPORE: A woman from Shanghai came to Singapore in October and claimed that Singapore actor Terence Cao is the father of her 19-month-old daughter.
Cao confirmed on Wednesday through his lawyer that a DNA test has been conducted on the child, and that he is indeed the child's father.
"Initially it was a shock but now he is happy. He is happy to know that he is a father," said Cao's lawyer Sunil Singh Panoo.
He went on to reveal that they are now negotiating with the child's mother over child maintenance issues.
"His stand from the very start is that so long as he is the father, he will pay, so long as the amount is reasonable," said Cao's lawyer.
He expressed that the amount of child maintenance Cao pays will depend on the income level of both parties as well as "the child's reasonable expenses".
-CNA/h
- wong chee tat :)
China's job agencies say Singapore no longer the preferred work destination
China's job agencies say Singapore no longer the preferred work destination
By Channel NewsAsia's Valarie Tan | Posted: 05 December 2012 2240 hrs
BEIJING: Job agencies in China say recruiting workers for Singapore has become increasingly difficult over the past five years as the wage gap between the two countries has narrowed.
And the fallout from the recent illegal strike by SMRT bus drivers from China is now deterring some from applying to work in Singapore.
Unfair and unjust - these are just some of the comments posted by Chinese internet users on Weibo after a former Chinese SMRT bus driver received a six-week jail sentence for taking part in an illegal strike in Singapore.
But some also felt that the drivers' behaviour was unreasonable, and called for more to be done to prepare Chinese workers before they go overseas.
"For the purpose of work, understand the laws of the country and the related rules, I think that's normal, and necessary."
"Before they leave the country, human resource companies should do some training in these areas in China before sending the workers out."
Recruiters in China said the majority of Chinese blue-collar workers in Singapore come from Jiangsu, Shandong and Liaoning where there's an abundance of manpower.
One agency in Jiangsu said it conducts a preparatory course for Chinese workers moving to Singapore for work.
Mr Lin Hai, General Manager of Jiangsu Huaian YunHai International Labour, said: "When they apply for work, I'll introduce Singapore's situation to them, let them understand that the 'Garden City' name is just the general environment. But work-wise, Singapore's efficiency is very high, you can't bring China's standards over, which means you have to do everything quickly."
But Mr Lin, whose agency was set up in 2006, said it has become increasingly difficult to recruit Chinese workers for Singapore companies.
He said salaries in Singapore are now almost on par with what workers would get if they stay in China.
And the latest bus driver incident has deterred some considering Singapore as a work destination.
Mr Lin said: "For example, in construction. They can get about 7,000-8,000 RMB each, a contractor can get 10,000 and more. In Singapore, a worker is paid 8,000-9,000 RMB. So if a Chinese construction worker can get this much staying here, it won't be worth it for him to travel far. So they usually won't choose to go to Singapore. Now, if they apply for work, when you mention Singapore, they don't want to go. Unless they have friends or relatives there but those are in the minority. So it's a challenge trying to recruit workers for Singapore."
Job agencies said skilled labour workers now prefer to work in Europe, Japan and South Korea over Singapore for work because they get three to five times more for the same position.
And with the growth of internet use and social media in China, workers including those in the rural areas are becoming more aware of labour laws and workers' rights, therefore making them more choosy about their workplace destination choices.
- CNA/de
- wong chee tat :)
By Channel NewsAsia's Valarie Tan | Posted: 05 December 2012 2240 hrs
BEIJING: Job agencies in China say recruiting workers for Singapore has become increasingly difficult over the past five years as the wage gap between the two countries has narrowed.
And the fallout from the recent illegal strike by SMRT bus drivers from China is now deterring some from applying to work in Singapore.
Unfair and unjust - these are just some of the comments posted by Chinese internet users on Weibo after a former Chinese SMRT bus driver received a six-week jail sentence for taking part in an illegal strike in Singapore.
But some also felt that the drivers' behaviour was unreasonable, and called for more to be done to prepare Chinese workers before they go overseas.
"For the purpose of work, understand the laws of the country and the related rules, I think that's normal, and necessary."
"Before they leave the country, human resource companies should do some training in these areas in China before sending the workers out."
Recruiters in China said the majority of Chinese blue-collar workers in Singapore come from Jiangsu, Shandong and Liaoning where there's an abundance of manpower.
One agency in Jiangsu said it conducts a preparatory course for Chinese workers moving to Singapore for work.
Mr Lin Hai, General Manager of Jiangsu Huaian YunHai International Labour, said: "When they apply for work, I'll introduce Singapore's situation to them, let them understand that the 'Garden City' name is just the general environment. But work-wise, Singapore's efficiency is very high, you can't bring China's standards over, which means you have to do everything quickly."
But Mr Lin, whose agency was set up in 2006, said it has become increasingly difficult to recruit Chinese workers for Singapore companies.
He said salaries in Singapore are now almost on par with what workers would get if they stay in China.
And the latest bus driver incident has deterred some considering Singapore as a work destination.
Mr Lin said: "For example, in construction. They can get about 7,000-8,000 RMB each, a contractor can get 10,000 and more. In Singapore, a worker is paid 8,000-9,000 RMB. So if a Chinese construction worker can get this much staying here, it won't be worth it for him to travel far. So they usually won't choose to go to Singapore. Now, if they apply for work, when you mention Singapore, they don't want to go. Unless they have friends or relatives there but those are in the minority. So it's a challenge trying to recruit workers for Singapore."
Job agencies said skilled labour workers now prefer to work in Europe, Japan and South Korea over Singapore for work because they get three to five times more for the same position.
And with the growth of internet use and social media in China, workers including those in the rural areas are becoming more aware of labour laws and workers' rights, therefore making them more choosy about their workplace destination choices.
- CNA/de
- wong chee tat :)
搞上别家女佣 好爸爸跪地认错
搞上别家女佣 好爸爸跪地认错
04/12/2012 on 联合晚报 by 温伟中
女强人说，搞上“模范丈夫”的女佣，声称丧夫。（图／读者提供）
都说“男儿膝下有黄金”，“流血流汗不流泪”，但这个父亲却放下尊严，孩子为此心软。
妻子原要离婚，但孩子们为父求情，要求宽恕。
这一幕于上周三（28日）晚上，在东北部一个家庭上演。两夫妻过后接受《联合晚报》专访，警惕国人珍惜婚姻。
这对夫妻，男的是51岁销售员，是亲友眼中的模范丈夫，每天载送妻子上下班，20年如一日。女的49岁，是一家大公司老板的得力助手，可说是女强人。
车震误按妻手机，奸情直播48秒；丈夫提分手，女佣以死威胁。完整报道，请翻阅04.12.2012《联合晚报》。
- wong chee tat :)
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