MOM insists quick address to SMRT workers' issues

3 investigations are on-going.

According to a release, the Ministry of Manpower has been updated that 4 bus drivers involved in the illegal SMRT strike on 26 - 27 November 2012 have been arrested and charged in Court this afternoon.

These drivers allegedly instigated their fellow employees to participate in the illegal strike which adversely impacted essential public transport services – commuters were affected, even as other bus drivers worked to help ensure the services continued to run even with the disruptions.

The illegal strikes are not acceptable and have undermined the industrial harmony we have built over the years.

These alleged instigators must be dealt with in accordance to our laws. 3 Investigations are still on-going and MOM will work closely with the Police on the matter.

Since Monday, MOM’s labour relations officers have been in close contact with SMRT’s HR and senior management. MOM’s Deputy Commissioner for Labour, Mr Then Yee Thoong, and senior MOM officers with the Labour Relations & Workplaces Division have also met up with SMRT’s senior management.

SMRT has assured MOM that it has identified important lessons from this episode. MOM emphasised that SMRT, which provides essential public transport
services in Singapore, must use these lessons to thoroughly review and improve its HR and management practices.

In particular, SMRT should ensure their lines of communication with employees are kept open and proper grievance handling procedures are in place.

SMRT should also clearly inform and educate employees about these processes. Employees who are unhappy or disgruntled should flag them through these processes, instead of taking matters into their own hands.

MOM reiterated to SMRT that the labour and contractual grievances raised by the workers should be a priority and addressed quickly.

MOM also called on SMRT to work more closely with the union to resolve outstanding issues. At the same time, MOM urged SMRT to fully address its remedial actions, both on the housing and labour relations front.