Singapore arrests two more Chinese workers

Singapore arrests two more Chinese workersThe authorities in Singapore have arrested two more Chinese workers for staging an illegal protest in the country over wages following the arrest of four Chinese nationals for another similar strike recently.

In the latest incidence, the two workers staged a protest atop a construction crane in the city over unpaid wages. The works climbed the 10-storey high cranes to bring to highlight their demand for wages before they could return home. The rescuers were able to get the workers down after four hours of negotiations and the two were soon arrested by the police.

The authorities in Singapore had arrested four Chinese nationals for being a part of an illegal strike that was held to display dissatisfaction over wages and living conditions of SMRT bus drivers. The police had said that the four Chinese males were arrested for their roles in the strike that was held at a worker's dormitory located along Woodlands Sector 1 on Nov 26 and 27, 2012.

The strike, which is the first in 25 years in the island nation, indicates that country is facing difficulties in managing influx of foreign workers and growing discontent. Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin said that the illegal strike is not just a lesson for SMRT but also for all other companies in Singapore.

Tan Chuan Jin, the acting Manpower Minister of Singapore has advised companies as well as the employees to use proper channel to deal with the issues of labour grievances following an illegal strike by Chinese workers. He said that the strike should be a wakeup call for Singaporean companies to start managing their employee relations with care and avoid such incidences.