Published December 01, 2012
SINGAPORE – Singapore’s government says it is deporting 29 Chinese immigrant bus drivers who were involved in the city-state’s first strike in 26 years.
The Ministry of Manpower also said in a statement Saturday that a fifth driver will be charged with instigating the strike. Four others were arrested and charged on Thursday. They face up to a year in prison if found guilty.
The ministry said a police investigation found that the drivers had been absent from work without reason.
Strikes are almost unheard of in Singapore. The last was in 1986 by shipyard workers.
Some 171 Chinese bus drivers went on strike last Monday in protest at being paid nearly a quarter less than Malaysian bus drivers who work for the same transport company. The strike was over by Wednesday.
