Three observations from these developments are worthy to note. First, the speed at which the alleged “trouble makers” were identified, arrested, charged and repatriated suggests that the Singapore state’s capacity for coercive action against mass mobilisation is still very much alive. Second, the manner in which the mainstream media parroted the Ministry’s stance on the illegality of the workers’ actions, disregarding the injustice of the law at stake, signals to other foreign and local workers in Singapore that they were clearly and rightfully emancipated of their rights to strike, and that they should stay in their “rightful” place. Third, the majority of Singaporeans continue to express their agreement with the system of suppressed rights to mobilise and strike, judging by the snap poll conducted by a government feedback agency, as well as their generally muted response to the incident. Full story
OPINION: Foreign workers strike, Singapore stares — Elvin Ong
Three observations from these developments are worthy to note. First, the speed at which the alleged “trouble makers” were identified, arrested, charged and repatriated suggests that the Singapore state’s capacity for coercive action against mass mobilisation is still very much alive. Second, the manner in which the mainstream media parroted the Ministry’s stance on the illegality of the workers’ actions, disregarding the injustice of the law at stake, signals to other foreign and local workers in Singapore that they were clearly and rightfully emancipated of their rights to strike, and that they should stay in their “rightful” place. Third, the majority of Singaporeans continue to express their agreement with the system of suppressed rights to mobilise and strike, judging by the snap poll conducted by a government feedback agency, as well as their generally muted response to the incident. Full story
