Labor relations in Singapore have been dysfunctional for a long time. Instead of independent unions, the country functions in a tripartite system in which unions, employers and the government are more often than not closely intertwined. In fact, the unions are often seen as taking the side of the employers and the government, rather than that of the workers. Without the right to organize and participate in collective action, workers have essentially lost their most important bargaining chip, exacerbating the power imbalance between employer and employee.
With all the emphasis on dealing with this “illegal strike,” the most crucial questions have been forgotten: what are the conditions under which the workers have to work? Is it really fair to pay people differently simply on the basis of nationality? How easy or difficult is it for workers to seek redress for their grievances? If the current unions are no longer perceived to be representing the workers, is it time to review their relevance? Will we ever hear the stories of the workers branded as “hostile and aggressive” even though the strike was peaceful? Or are we all just expected to take the ministry’s word for it?
Instead all we’re reminded of is the stick waved in all our faces: “Don’t strike. Look at how serious the consequences are. Look at how we’ll deal with you. Remember, this is Singapore. Zero tolerance.” Amidst all these warnings we sink back into apathy and inaction, and employers get away with nothing more than a slap on the wrist (if anything). Full story
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“You can resign and go to SBS,” the SMRT drivers were told... - The Online Citizen
