Bus Strike

[sundaymorningstaple]

I
Has SMRT stated they are paid less because they come from PRC?

For all intents & purposes, yes, they did. On the first day of the "strike" SMRT indicated they were paid less because the costs of recruitment from PRC AND the higher cost of workers levies from PRC. Therefore, their action and admissions tend to say yes, they were paid less because they came from the PRC.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Sensei_,

I don't give meal allowances, but we do provide housing at no cost or give them housing allowances so that they may live where they want. Most opt for the allowance and then usually groups of 2 to 4 go and rent HDB rooms. They are almost all drivers so they are usually given company vehicles to use so their transportation problems are covered as well. Their starting salaries are the same as our starting salaries for our Malaysian workers as well. There are lots of good employers out there but there are the few who cause the whole country to be tarred with the same brush.

The same thing happens with the Kiasuism, buffet syndrome, and the dearth of courtesy here. The vast majority of citizens here are NOT like that, but the percentages of those who are, is larger than the percentages found in other countries, therefore the monikers tend to stick as it's more visible here than elsewhere. There are people like that in every country. Where it might be only 1 or 2% there, here it might be 2 or 4%. Still a vast minority but becomes more visible so the tag sticks like a dingleberry. Hard to shake off! :-/

[Sergei82]

sensei_, you are over you head on this one...Nah, you way out in left field on this one.

interesting to read your post because that wasnt the impression i was going by (personal experience and going by what others say)

maybe ive been too nice to my workers? (they get $100/mth rent allowance, and $100/mth for meals allowance, and any overtime is always paid for, some even choose to stay in the warehouse because they want to save up the $100 allowance, transport cost and time, and im cool with that, because i get free security)

What difference can $100/mth rent allowance make???
If we were in Korea, it could be possible to spend nights in some cheap Korean sauna (chimjilban) for twice as much per month.
Singapore... maybe, if 25 people with $100/mth allowance group toghether, they can rent 2-bedroom hdb.

[geneontology]

Sometimes the law here is quite different from other countries', thus those (SC or PR) should be very careful when you fall in love with a WP or EX-WP holder:

A Singaporean who is desirous of marrying a work permit/ex-work permit holder is required to seek the prior approval of the Controller of Work Permits before contracting marriage in Singapore or elsewhere. If approval is granted, the couple can then call personally at the Singapore Registry of Marriages with their identity card/passport, birth certificate and the approval letter to file the required 21 day notice of marriage. Solemnization of the marriage can be effected after the expiration of 21 days but before the expiration of 3 months from the date of the notice of marriage. Please contact the Marriage Screening Section, Ministry of Manpower 18 Havelock Road Singapore 059764. Tel: (65) 6539 5321 on the procedure for applying for approval to marry a work permit/ex-work permit holder and whether there is a need for approval if you do not intend to reside in Singapore.

http://www.mfa.gov.sg/content/mfa/overs ... tters.html

[taxico]

Sometimes the law here is quite different from other countries', thus those (SC or PR) should be very careful when you fall in love with a WP or EX-WP holder:

........

[sundaymorningstaple]

Sometimes the law here is quite different from other countries', thus those (SC or PR) should be very careful when you fall in love with a WP or EX-WP holder:

A Singaporean who is desirous of marrying a work permit/ex-work permit holder is required to seek the prior approval of the Controller of Work Permits before contracting marriage in Singapore or elsewhere. If approval is granted, the couple can then call personally at the Singapore Registry of Marriages with their identity card/passport, birth certificate and the approval letter to file the required 21 day notice of marriage. Solemnization of the marriage can be effected after the expiration of 21 days but before the expiration of 3 months from the date of the notice of marriage. Please contact the Marriage Screening Section, Ministry of Manpower 18 Havelock Road Singapore 059764. Tel: (65) 6539 5321 on the procedure for applying for approval to marry a work permit/ex-work permit holder and whether there is a need for approval if you do not intend to reside in Singapore.

http://www.mfa.gov.sg/content/mfa/overs ... tters.html

Wow! you just woke up or were born yesterday? It pretty common knowledge on this board and there are links all over the place if you had bothered to do any research of your own.

[offshoreoildude]

in my opinion there cannot be such a thing as an illegal strike in a democratic country - it contradicts the notion of freedom

You should preach that to the people of Detroit; if there's anyone left there.

Detroits problems have a lot less to do with Unions than they do with a whole bunch of other factors.... including corporate greed.

[sensei_]

What difference can $100/mth rent allowance make???
If we were in Korea, it could be possible to spend nights in some cheap Korean sauna (chimjilban) for twice as much per month.
Singapore... maybe, if 25 people with $100/mth allowance group toghether, they can rent 2-bedroom hdb.

its called an allowance, not a free rental cheque. i know of a few girls working in sg. they share with 3 others girls, each chipping in $500/mth (super run down hdb apartment).

i would be happy to rent a room in perth for anything less than $500/mth (no garage space to work on my car)

[refugees]

In my opinion, the diff between PRC & Malaysian drivers are Contract vs Permanent staffs status. Of cos permanent staff will enjoy more perks and higher pay as compare to contract staffs, like any mnc & banks.

The mistake that SMRT made is their communication on payrise. Instead of saying PRC driver not entitled for payrise, maybe they should phrase it as not eligible for contract staffs.

[offshoreoildude]

In my opinion, the diff between PRC & Malaysian drivers are Contract vs Permanent staffs status. Of cos permanent staff will enjoy more perks and higher pay as compare to contract staffs, like any mnc & banks.

The mistake that SMRT made is their communication on payrise. Instead of saying PRC driver not entitled for payrise, maybe they should phrase it as not eligible for contract staffs.

in civilised countries contractors earn more to offset the loss of fringe benefits such as leave, training, bonuses... You're talking out of your ass.

[nakatago]

In my opinion, the diff between PRC & Malaysian drivers are Contract vs Permanent staffs status. Of cos permanent staff will enjoy more perks and higher pay as compare to contract staffs, like any mnc & banks.

The mistake that SMRT made is their communication on payrise. Instead of saying PRC driver not entitled for payrise, maybe they should phrase it as not eligible for contract staffs.

in civilised countries contractors earn more to offset the loss of fringe benefits such as leave, training, bonuses... You're talking out of your ass.

Ah, but in countries with third world people, contractual work is used to shaft workers of benefits so that a company can save money. But what about retaining those workers? Just keep renewing the contracts without making the workers permanent employees!

Companies get the benefits of experienced employees without the cost of giving them benefits! Wheaton-law* breaking capitalism!

*"Don't be a dick."

[Wd40]

Agree with nakatago and refugee. Ofshoreoildude, we are not talking about contractors in the US here. Contractors in Singapore or those on vendor payrolls are treated like cheap shit and only when they become critical to the company, they are made permanent.

But the most important thing to note is a gahmen owned company is treating its staff like this, what do you expect out of the other local pvt sector employers out there? This is one of the big reasons why Singaporeans are such a stressed lot. Local companies here are one of the biggest culprits behind the unhappiness of Singaporeans and they are blaming foreigners for all this

[morenangpinay]

and let me add...the distinction is in the races .clearly its some form of human rights violation. If they just made a salary grade based on performance there wont be any problem.

[JR8]

You should preach that to the people of Detroit; if there's anyone left there.

Detroits problems have a lot less to do with Unions than they do with a whole bunch of other factors.... including corporate greed.

Ah right, but which corporates were greedy? I thought Detroit sunk because the line-worker's union had negotiated /blackmailed themselves onto six-figure packages. But then along came the likes of Datsun... better made, cheaper, more reliable for 1/4 of the price. Add the oil-shock and suddenly getting 10mpg isn't so funny any more, despite how patriotic you are.

Same with American airlines. No one in their right mind would choose to fly them, because there are so many far better options. Delta Vs Virgin... yah reckon phhh! QED.

If I show you mine* will you show me yours?




* current or last car.

[refugees]

[quote="offshoreoildude"][quote="refugees"]In my opinion, the diff between PRC & Malaysian drivers are Contract vs Permanent staffs status. Of cos permanent staff will enjoy more perks and higher pay as compare to contract staffs, like any mnc & banks.

The mistake that SMRT made is their communication on payrise. Instead of saying PRC driver not entitled for payrise, maybe they should phrase it as not eligible for contract staffs.[/quote] in civilised countries contractors earn more to offset the loss of fringe benefits such as leave, training, bonuses... You're talking out of your ass.[/quote]

Looks like you have never work in real world? Time to go out talk to the real ppl...