Singapore to deport 29 striking Chinese-national bus drivers

Singapore will deport 29 bus drivers to China and prosecute five others for taking part in the city state's first strike since the 1980s.

The order from the Ministry of Manpower came a day after Beijing urged Singapore to respect the workers' legal rights while also cautioning its citizens to obey local laws.

Singapore's manpower minister, Tan Chuan Jin, said: "Foreign nationals should abide by the laws of their host countries. Singaporeans who work and live overseas are also expected to do so. Laws must be upheld."

The ministry said the work permits of 29 drivers had been revoked and immigration officials "will be repatriating them" for involvement in a two-day stoppage to demand better pay and working conditions.

A fifth driver has been arrested and will be charged in addition to four others, who have appeared in court for allegedly instigating the work stoppage last Monday and Tuesday at state-linked transport firm SMRT.

While underscoring that the Chinese workers broke the law, Tan also criticised SMRT, saying it "could have done better in managing their labour grievances and concerns".

If found guilty of involvement in an illegal strike, the five drivers could be jailed for up to a year or fined up to S$2,000 (HK$12,690) - the equivalent of two months' wages for a driver.