The influx of migrant workers from China and Bangladesh has caused friction as “heartlander” Singaporeans complain about crowded public transport and competition for housing.
Many Singaporeans have been sympathetic to the arrests, pointing out that the strike was illegal since it was held without sufficient advance notice, as required under Singapore law. They have also taken a dim view of the disruption it has caused to public services.
But mainland Chinese posting on social media jumped to the defense of their compatriots, highlighting the drivers’ key grievance that they were paid less than Malaysian drivers hired for the same jobs. “All Chinese nationals should come back [home], and let Singapore go bust!” wrote one netizen quoted in Singapore’s Straits Times. Full story
Related:
Strikes strike Singapore: The undertone of industrial relations — The Malaysian Insider
