Protest by HK trade unions over SMRT strike "highly regrettable", says NTUC chief

Protest by HK trade unions over SMRT strike "highly regrettable", says NTUC chief
By Vimita Mohandas | Posted: 06 December 2012 1536 hrs
     
SINGAPORE: Labour chief Lim Swee Say said on Thursday the protest by the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU) over the illegal strike by SMRT bus drivers from China is highly regrettable.

Mr Lim was speaking on the sidelines of the Labour Movement Workplan Seminar on Thursday.

Some 20 members of the HKCTU held a protest outside the Singapore Consulate in Hong Kong on Wednesday.

The confederation had said Singapore did not respect the basic rights of workers who go on strike.

It also accused Singapore of not conforming to equal remuneration for its workers.

The union called on the Singapore government to reinstate the 29 drivers who were repatriated, and to drop the charges against the five who were detained.

Mr Lim, who is Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), said that it is highly inappropriate for unions of other countries to dictate what another country should do.

Mr Lim said: "We, as a labour movement, NTUC, we will not dictate what Hong Kong, the government or trade unions should do because why? We should respect that each country has its own different circumstances.

"All workers regardless of nationalities must respect the law of the land. I'm sure in Hong Kong, they expect their workers to follow the law of their land as well."

He urged management, union and workers to strengthen communications and pertnerships to ensure that workers are treated fairly.

Mr Lim added that the strike could have been avoided.

He added: "If the management can respect and recognise the role of the union and when the union and management work together with the workers, I think it's a much better way in ensuring we can take care of the interest of the workers, business, and thereby able to serve the public commuters better."

On a separate issue, Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, who is chairman of the Migrant Workers' Centre, said more help will be given to the 89 workers who were injured in the Jurong shipyard rig accident.

Besides counselling sessions, they will also be given a free phone set with a prepaid phonecard to enable them to contact their loved ones.

- CNA/de

- wong chee tat ;)