NTUC says most SMRT foreign bus drivers are not union members
Posted: 28 November 2012 1946 hrs
SINGAPORE: The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) said foreign workers can become union members, and 140,000 of them have already done so.
In a statement on Wednesday, NTUC notes that the majority of bus drivers from China working at SBS Transit are union members. It said, however, the majority of foreign bus drivers in SMRT have not joined the union.
Responding to media queries about the illegal strike by bus drivers from China at SMRT, NTUC adds there are valuable lessons to be learnt from the incident.
It says management should recognise the positive role the union can play.
And the union will continue to step up efforts to bring more foreign workers into their membership base.
On their part, NTUC said foreign drivers should see the benefit of joining the union.
- CNA/de
- wong chee tat :)
Thursday, November 29, 2012
385 new HIV cases in S'pore between Jan & Oct
385 new HIV cases in S'pore between Jan & Oct
Posted: 29 November 2012 1157 hrs
SINGAPORE: From January to October this year, 385 new cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were reported among Singapore residents, said the health ministry on Thursday.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) expects the total number of notified HIV cases in 2012 to be similar to that of 2011, when there were 461 cases.
In the first six months of this year, 215 new cases of HIV, which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), were reported.
Between July and October, there were 170 new cases.
MOH said among the cases reported between January and June, 92 per cent (198) were males and 8 per cent (17) were females.
Most of them caught the virus through sex.
Half of those infected had heterosexual sex, while 43 per cent were infected from homosexual transmission, and 4 per cent from bisexual transmission.
About half, or 47 per cent, of those infected were between 30 and 49 years.
63 per cent were single, 23 per cent were married and 10 per cent were divorced or separated.
Half of the new cases reported between January and June already had late-stage HIV infection when they were diagnosed, similar to the pattern in previous years.
Slightly more than half found out they had the virus during HIV testing, as part of medical care.
Another 15 per cent were detected through health screening.
14 per cent were detected during voluntary HIV screening and the rest found out they were HIV-positive through contact tracing and other screening methods.
A higher proportion of homosexuals - or 28 per cent - were detected during voluntary screening, compared with 4 per cent for heterosexuals.
MOH and the Health Promotion Board (HPB) have urged individuals to protect themselves from HIV infection by following the principles of "ABCD": abstinence, being faithful, correct and consistent use of condoms and early detection.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 29 November 2012 1157 hrs
SINGAPORE: From January to October this year, 385 new cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were reported among Singapore residents, said the health ministry on Thursday.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) expects the total number of notified HIV cases in 2012 to be similar to that of 2011, when there were 461 cases.
In the first six months of this year, 215 new cases of HIV, which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), were reported.
Between July and October, there were 170 new cases.
MOH said among the cases reported between January and June, 92 per cent (198) were males and 8 per cent (17) were females.
Most of them caught the virus through sex.
Half of those infected had heterosexual sex, while 43 per cent were infected from homosexual transmission, and 4 per cent from bisexual transmission.
About half, or 47 per cent, of those infected were between 30 and 49 years.
63 per cent were single, 23 per cent were married and 10 per cent were divorced or separated.
Half of the new cases reported between January and June already had late-stage HIV infection when they were diagnosed, similar to the pattern in previous years.
Slightly more than half found out they had the virus during HIV testing, as part of medical care.
Another 15 per cent were detected through health screening.
14 per cent were detected during voluntary HIV screening and the rest found out they were HIV-positive through contact tracing and other screening methods.
A higher proportion of homosexuals - or 28 per cent - were detected during voluntary screening, compared with 4 per cent for heterosexuals.
MOH and the Health Promotion Board (HPB) have urged individuals to protect themselves from HIV infection by following the principles of "ABCD": abstinence, being faithful, correct and consistent use of condoms and early detection.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
339,000 workers to receive Workfare Special Bonus instalment
339,000 workers to receive Workfare Special Bonus instalment
Posted: 29 November 2012 1137 hrs
SINGAPORE: About 339,000 older and low-wage workers will get their third payment of the Workfare Special Bonus (WSB) by Saturday.
The bonus is part of the government's S$3.2b "Grow & Share" package announced in February 2011 to help them cope with rising costs of living.
The bonus, which is given on top of the regular Workfare Income Supplement (WIS), is paid in four instalments.
Two of the instalments amount to 50 per cent of WIS for work done in 2010, and 25 per cent of WIS each year for work done in 2011 and 2012.
The first instalment was paid in May 2011 and the second, in December 2011.
Eligible workers will be paid fully in cash.
For instance, a WIS recipient aged 60 and earning S$1,000 a month will receive S$700 in WSB on December 1. This is on top of the S$2,800 that he would have received in WIS this year, making it a total of S$3,500.
A worker who is 45 years old and earning the same wage will receive S$350 in WSB this year on top of the S$1,400 that he would have received in WIS, giving a total of S$1,750.
The WSB is expected to cost the government about S$450 million over three years.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 29 November 2012 1137 hrs
SINGAPORE: About 339,000 older and low-wage workers will get their third payment of the Workfare Special Bonus (WSB) by Saturday.
The bonus is part of the government's S$3.2b "Grow & Share" package announced in February 2011 to help them cope with rising costs of living.
The bonus, which is given on top of the regular Workfare Income Supplement (WIS), is paid in four instalments.
Two of the instalments amount to 50 per cent of WIS for work done in 2010, and 25 per cent of WIS each year for work done in 2011 and 2012.
The first instalment was paid in May 2011 and the second, in December 2011.
Eligible workers will be paid fully in cash.
For instance, a WIS recipient aged 60 and earning S$1,000 a month will receive S$700 in WSB on December 1. This is on top of the S$2,800 that he would have received in WIS this year, making it a total of S$3,500.
A worker who is 45 years old and earning the same wage will receive S$350 in WSB this year on top of the S$1,400 that he would have received in WIS, giving a total of S$1,750.
The WSB is expected to cost the government about S$450 million over three years.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
Weather
Heavy thunderstorm started about five to ten minutes ago. Good time to sleep!
- wong chee tat :)
- wong chee tat :)
MAS flags risks from rising corporate debt
MAS flags risks from rising corporate debt
Posted: 28 November 2012 1323 hrs
SINGAPORE: The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has warned that bad loans at banks may increase if the economy sours.
It said companies are more leveraged today than they were a year ago, and while balance sheets remain strong, profitability has dropped in line with weakening economic conditions.
"If economic conditions worsen or interest rates rise from current low levels, bank loan quality could deteriorate substantially," the MAS said in its annual Financial Stability Review.
The central bank noted that companies "appear well able to cover their interest expense".
But, the MAS said this could change if rates rise significantly.
- CNA/ir
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 28 November 2012 1323 hrs
SINGAPORE: The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has warned that bad loans at banks may increase if the economy sours.
It said companies are more leveraged today than they were a year ago, and while balance sheets remain strong, profitability has dropped in line with weakening economic conditions.
"If economic conditions worsen or interest rates rise from current low levels, bank loan quality could deteriorate substantially," the MAS said in its annual Financial Stability Review.
The central bank noted that companies "appear well able to cover their interest expense".
But, the MAS said this could change if rates rise significantly.
- CNA/ir
- wong chee tat :)
MAS sees risks in household and corporate debts
MAS sees risks in household and corporate debts
By Thomas Cho | Posted: 28 November 2012 2234 hrs
SINGAPORE: The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has warned households and businesses their ability to repay loans may be impaired if economic conditions worsen or interest rates rise.
The central bank said the corporate sector is more in debt this year than last year and household debt is increasing faster than household assets.
In its annual Financial Stability Review report, the MAS notes that even while the loan growth has slowed at major banks in recent quarters, their lending to consumers and companies remained high.
After reaching a three-year high of 12.8 per cent increase year-on-year in third quarter 2011, overall loan growth turned negative in third quarter this year contracting dome 2.3 per cent.
The growth of so-called non-bank lending was close to 10 per cent in the third quarter of this year.
This has given rise to some concern that borrowers may bet that interest rates will remain low forever.
Song Seng Wun, economist at CIMB Research, said: "The concern at this point is really very much of the very low interest rate which encourages borrowing. If interest rate should turn in an environment where there is still uncertain outlook, it could impact the household and the corporate sector."
Growth in non-bank lending has been led by property-related loans, manufacturing and non-bank financial institutions.
The current Housing and Development Board's concessionary mortgage rate stands at 2.6 per cent per annum while banks offer around 1.2 per cent to 1.7 per cent per annum depending on the Singapore's three-month interbank offer rate.
The current three-month interbank offer rate is 0.85 per cent.
Alvin Liew, a senior economist at United Overseas Bank said: "The central bank is firing a warning to the banking sector that they need to be vigilant and they need to know that eventually interest rate needs to rise and they need to make contingency plans should such a thing (loan default) happens in the near future."
According to the MAS report, property-related loans account for 46 per cent of outstanding Singapore dollar loans to non-bank customers, is below the average of 48 per cent in the past eight years.
Demand for private residential property has remained resilient despite government measures to cool the market.
"Over the last two years progressively, (the measures) basically held the increases in check to a certain degree itself. Although prices are still rising, it is rising at a slower pace," said Song.
MAS views household debt levels as not alarming, as it notes that Singapore's household net wealth stood at four times of gross domestic product. This is 7.3 per cent better than a year ago.
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
By Thomas Cho | Posted: 28 November 2012 2234 hrs
SINGAPORE: The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has warned households and businesses their ability to repay loans may be impaired if economic conditions worsen or interest rates rise.
The central bank said the corporate sector is more in debt this year than last year and household debt is increasing faster than household assets.
In its annual Financial Stability Review report, the MAS notes that even while the loan growth has slowed at major banks in recent quarters, their lending to consumers and companies remained high.
After reaching a three-year high of 12.8 per cent increase year-on-year in third quarter 2011, overall loan growth turned negative in third quarter this year contracting dome 2.3 per cent.
The growth of so-called non-bank lending was close to 10 per cent in the third quarter of this year.
This has given rise to some concern that borrowers may bet that interest rates will remain low forever.
Song Seng Wun, economist at CIMB Research, said: "The concern at this point is really very much of the very low interest rate which encourages borrowing. If interest rate should turn in an environment where there is still uncertain outlook, it could impact the household and the corporate sector."
Growth in non-bank lending has been led by property-related loans, manufacturing and non-bank financial institutions.
The current Housing and Development Board's concessionary mortgage rate stands at 2.6 per cent per annum while banks offer around 1.2 per cent to 1.7 per cent per annum depending on the Singapore's three-month interbank offer rate.
The current three-month interbank offer rate is 0.85 per cent.
Alvin Liew, a senior economist at United Overseas Bank said: "The central bank is firing a warning to the banking sector that they need to be vigilant and they need to know that eventually interest rate needs to rise and they need to make contingency plans should such a thing (loan default) happens in the near future."
According to the MAS report, property-related loans account for 46 per cent of outstanding Singapore dollar loans to non-bank customers, is below the average of 48 per cent in the past eight years.
Demand for private residential property has remained resilient despite government measures to cool the market.
"Over the last two years progressively, (the measures) basically held the increases in check to a certain degree itself. Although prices are still rising, it is rising at a slower pace," said Song.
MAS views household debt levels as not alarming, as it notes that Singapore's household net wealth stood at four times of gross domestic product. This is 7.3 per cent better than a year ago.
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
20 SMRT bus drivers assisting police in investigations
20 SMRT bus drivers assisting police in investigations
By Kimberly Spykerman, Vimita Mohandas | Posted: 28 November 2012 1745 hrs
SINGAPORE: Most of the bus drivers involved in an illegal strike over a pay dispute have returned to work except for six who had valid medical reasons.
Providing an update at a media conference, transport operator SMRT said that 20 bus drivers from China and SMRT personnel are assisting the police in their investigations.
SMRT added that disciplinary action will be taken against those who didn't turn up for work and didn't have valid reasons but did not disclose what the disciplinary action would include.
At the conference, SMRT also clarified the pay of their bus drivers which was at the heart of illegal strikes this week.
It said drivers from China are hired on two-year contracts unlike those from Malaysia who are employed on a permanent basis.
SMRT said while the starting pay for drivers from China is lower, the company provides them with accommodation and utilities, as well as transport to the workplace.
In July, bus drivers on permanent employment received an increment in their starting pay while a special increment of S$75 was given to China nationals out of goodwill.
Another round of salary adjustments for those on permanent employment was made in October and a similar adjustment of S$25 per month for China nationals was finalised last week.
Unfortunately, the illegal strike took place even before the bus drivers knew about their salary adjustments.
In a statement, labour movement NTUC said management should recognise the positive role the union can play.
NTUC added that the majority of foreign bus drivers in SMRT have not joined the union.
SMRT's executive vice president for roads & commercial, Mr Teo Chew Hoon, said: "We encourage our drivers to join the unions so that they can be represented. Perhaps we didn't do enough to encourage them.
SMRT pointed out that drivers had been given a special increment before this even though such an increase was not in their contract.
The public transport operator said it pays competitive market wages.
It added that its remuneration packages for service leaders from China and Malaysia are equitable, with the foreign worker levy, as well as transport, accommodation and utilities covered.
Turning to concerns over dormitory conditions, SMRT acknowledged that swifter actions could have been taken.
It has decided to provide alternative accommodation when the leases for the dormitories expire from early 2013.
SMRT noted that the drivers had concerns over issues such as bed bugs at the dormitories provided by private operators.
Fumigation works, which were scheduled at the Woodlands dormitory, will be carried out as soon as possible.
Measures such as remedial works on fittings are already underway.
SMRT's management had assured the drivers, or Service Leaders (SLs), during the discussion on November 26 that it will review and address their concerns.
It will share its decision with them next week.
Mr Teo said: "There are lessons from this episode, including how we can better engage our SLs and we will improve in this area. In the meantime, we are doing our utmost to make immediate improvements to their living conditions. For majority of our Chinese SLs who are putting their best in their duties, I would like to reassure them that we continue to value their services."
SMRT said the attendance of drivers is back to normal and that all its bus services are running as scheduled.
It added that the six drivers who did not turn for work on Wednesday morning had valid reasons for being absent.
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
By Kimberly Spykerman, Vimita Mohandas | Posted: 28 November 2012 1745 hrs
SINGAPORE: Most of the bus drivers involved in an illegal strike over a pay dispute have returned to work except for six who had valid medical reasons.
Providing an update at a media conference, transport operator SMRT said that 20 bus drivers from China and SMRT personnel are assisting the police in their investigations.
SMRT added that disciplinary action will be taken against those who didn't turn up for work and didn't have valid reasons but did not disclose what the disciplinary action would include.
At the conference, SMRT also clarified the pay of their bus drivers which was at the heart of illegal strikes this week.
It said drivers from China are hired on two-year contracts unlike those from Malaysia who are employed on a permanent basis.
SMRT said while the starting pay for drivers from China is lower, the company provides them with accommodation and utilities, as well as transport to the workplace.
In July, bus drivers on permanent employment received an increment in their starting pay while a special increment of S$75 was given to China nationals out of goodwill.
Another round of salary adjustments for those on permanent employment was made in October and a similar adjustment of S$25 per month for China nationals was finalised last week.
Unfortunately, the illegal strike took place even before the bus drivers knew about their salary adjustments.
In a statement, labour movement NTUC said management should recognise the positive role the union can play.
NTUC added that the majority of foreign bus drivers in SMRT have not joined the union.
SMRT's executive vice president for roads & commercial, Mr Teo Chew Hoon, said: "We encourage our drivers to join the unions so that they can be represented. Perhaps we didn't do enough to encourage them.
SMRT pointed out that drivers had been given a special increment before this even though such an increase was not in their contract.
The public transport operator said it pays competitive market wages.
It added that its remuneration packages for service leaders from China and Malaysia are equitable, with the foreign worker levy, as well as transport, accommodation and utilities covered.
Turning to concerns over dormitory conditions, SMRT acknowledged that swifter actions could have been taken.
It has decided to provide alternative accommodation when the leases for the dormitories expire from early 2013.
SMRT noted that the drivers had concerns over issues such as bed bugs at the dormitories provided by private operators.
Fumigation works, which were scheduled at the Woodlands dormitory, will be carried out as soon as possible.
Measures such as remedial works on fittings are already underway.
SMRT's management had assured the drivers, or Service Leaders (SLs), during the discussion on November 26 that it will review and address their concerns.
It will share its decision with them next week.
Mr Teo said: "There are lessons from this episode, including how we can better engage our SLs and we will improve in this area. In the meantime, we are doing our utmost to make immediate improvements to their living conditions. For majority of our Chinese SLs who are putting their best in their duties, I would like to reassure them that we continue to value their services."
SMRT said the attendance of drivers is back to normal and that all its bus services are running as scheduled.
It added that the six drivers who did not turn for work on Wednesday morning had valid reasons for being absent.
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
SMRT investigating still-absent bus drivers involved in illegal strike
SMRT investigating still-absent bus drivers involved in illegal strike
By Sara Grosse | Posted: 28 November 2012 1302 hrs
SINGAPORE: Six SMRT bus drivers from China on morning shift did not report for work on Wednesday, amid investigations into an illegal strike over salaries.
SMRT said on Wednesday afternoon that it is investigating why they were absent.
A SMRT spokesperson said it has not ruled out the possibility that they're unwell and added that it may not be right to assume that there's anything malicious, as of now.
A driver from China who had completed his shift on Wednesday morning told reporters at Woodlands dormitory, where some of the drivers are staying, that all drivers from his room went to work.
He said staff from the Chinese embassy spoke to the drivers at about 11:00pm on Tuesday.
Another driver from China said most of the drivers had returned to work.
The drivers were reported to have boarded buses at about 4:00am on Wednesday to be ferried to the bus depots to start their shift.
A police car and an ambulance were at Woodlands Dormitory for about half an hour on Wednesday morning. Another ambulance is still at the dormitory.
A female driver from China, who did not report for work on Monday but returned to work on Tuesday, told reporters that SMRT has treated them fairly. She said she understands that SMRT will give the workers an answer on their salary grievances by the end of the week.
SMRT said late on Tuesday night that 171 drivers staged a sit-in at the workers' dormitory in Woodlands. And, on Tuesday, 88 did not turn up for work.
- CNA/ck/sf
- wong chee tat :)
By Sara Grosse | Posted: 28 November 2012 1302 hrs
SINGAPORE: Six SMRT bus drivers from China on morning shift did not report for work on Wednesday, amid investigations into an illegal strike over salaries.
SMRT said on Wednesday afternoon that it is investigating why they were absent.
A SMRT spokesperson said it has not ruled out the possibility that they're unwell and added that it may not be right to assume that there's anything malicious, as of now.
A driver from China who had completed his shift on Wednesday morning told reporters at Woodlands dormitory, where some of the drivers are staying, that all drivers from his room went to work.
He said staff from the Chinese embassy spoke to the drivers at about 11:00pm on Tuesday.
Another driver from China said most of the drivers had returned to work.
The drivers were reported to have boarded buses at about 4:00am on Wednesday to be ferried to the bus depots to start their shift.
A police car and an ambulance were at Woodlands Dormitory for about half an hour on Wednesday morning. Another ambulance is still at the dormitory.
A female driver from China, who did not report for work on Monday but returned to work on Tuesday, told reporters that SMRT has treated them fairly. She said she understands that SMRT will give the workers an answer on their salary grievances by the end of the week.
SMRT said late on Tuesday night that 171 drivers staged a sit-in at the workers' dormitory in Woodlands. And, on Tuesday, 88 did not turn up for work.
- CNA/ck/sf
- wong chee tat :)
2013 to be 'survival' year for Singapore retailers
2013 to be 'survival' year for Singapore retailers
By Kristie Neo | Posted: 28 November 2012 2247 hrs
SINGAPORE: Higher rental costs and manpower shortage is going to make 2013 a year of 'survival' for Singapore retailers.
The Singapore Retail Association (SRA) has cautioned retailers to stay conservative moving forward.
The SRA said retailers will begin filling the pinch next year once the impact of the revised foreign labour quota and 'lemon law' fully kicks in.
Dato Dr Jannie Chan, president of Singapore Retailers Association, said: "Moving into 2013, we would have to reorganise and rethink not so much on 'growth' mode or 'maintenance' mode. It's a survival mode.
"At the moment, be conservative. I would suggest keep your cash and core business, don't expand. If you have expanded, make sure your inventory is turning within at least once a year, if not twice a year. Do not increase costs because this is not the time. It might take two or three years to recover."
According to data from the Department of Statistics, Singapore's retail sales in September has risen lower-than-expected at 2.5 per cent on-year.
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
By Kristie Neo | Posted: 28 November 2012 2247 hrs
SINGAPORE: Higher rental costs and manpower shortage is going to make 2013 a year of 'survival' for Singapore retailers.
The Singapore Retail Association (SRA) has cautioned retailers to stay conservative moving forward.
The SRA said retailers will begin filling the pinch next year once the impact of the revised foreign labour quota and 'lemon law' fully kicks in.
Dato Dr Jannie Chan, president of Singapore Retailers Association, said: "Moving into 2013, we would have to reorganise and rethink not so much on 'growth' mode or 'maintenance' mode. It's a survival mode.
"At the moment, be conservative. I would suggest keep your cash and core business, don't expand. If you have expanded, make sure your inventory is turning within at least once a year, if not twice a year. Do not increase costs because this is not the time. It might take two or three years to recover."
According to data from the Department of Statistics, Singapore's retail sales in September has risen lower-than-expected at 2.5 per cent on-year.
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
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