Chinese bus drivers who organised Singapore strike given bail
Four mainland bus drivers accused of inciting Sinapore’s first labour strike in 26 years have been granted bail in a case that highlighted growing friction caused by an influx of foreign labour.
Four Chinese immigrant bus drivers accused of inciting the city-state’s first labour strike in 26 years have been granted bail in a case that highlighted growing social friction caused by an influx of foreign labour.
A fifth Chinese driver has already been sentenced to six weeks in prison even though prosecutors said he was not an instigator of the strike, which was called to demand equitable pay.
Walking off the job in protest is almost unheard of in Singapore, and the swift prosecution following the November 26-27 strike was a clear sign that the government of this strictly-enforced country will not brook any disobedience from its workforce.
Three of the men who appeared in court on Thursday were allowed a bail of S$10,000 (HK$63,600). A fourth driver, He Jun Liang, who faces an additional charge of making an online post in Putonghua, was given a bail of S$20,000 (HK$127,208).
It is not clear if they will be able to raise the money to get out of detention before their case resumes on December 12.
A Chinese embassy official who was present at the hearing declined to comment on the cases.
If found guilty, all four men face up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $2,000.