Chinese bus driver jailed for joining strike action
Source: Agencies |
December 4, 2012, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A CHINESE bus driver was jailed for six weeks by a court in Singapore yesterday for his involvement in the city-state's first labor strike in 26 years.
Pushing for the jail term as a deterrent, the prosecution argued that although Bao Fengshan, 38, was not an instigator of the strike, he was "far from a mere passive participant."
The prosecution said a lenient approach may encourage others to think they can commit similar offences and "conveniently express remorse to escape custodial sentence."
Bao, who was not represented by a lawyer, pleaded guilty to taking part in last week's two-day action.
Four other drivers have been charged with instigating an illegal strike, while He Junling faces an additional charge of inciting an illegal strike with an online message he posted.
If convicted, the drivers face a fine of up to S$2,000 (US$1,639) or maximum imprisonment of 12 months, or both.
They are currently being held at a police station and are due to appear in court on Thursday.
A total of 171 Chinese bus drivers went on strike on Monday last week in protest at being paid nearly a quarter less than Malaysian drivers working for the same company.
More than half continued to protest on Tuesday but the strike was over by Wednesday.
The last strike was in 1986 by shipyard workers.
On Sunday, 29 drivers had their permits revoked and were deported to China.
The government said a police investigation found that the strike was premeditated and that the drivers had been absent from work without reason.
Others involved in the unrest will be issued warnings but no further action will be taken and they will be allowed to remain and work in Singapore.
Pushing for the jail term as a deterrent, the prosecution argued that although Bao Fengshan, 38, was not an instigator of the strike, he was "far from a mere passive participant."
The prosecution said a lenient approach may encourage others to think they can commit similar offences and "conveniently express remorse to escape custodial sentence."
Bao, who was not represented by a lawyer, pleaded guilty to taking part in last week's two-day action.
Four other drivers have been charged with instigating an illegal strike, while He Junling faces an additional charge of inciting an illegal strike with an online message he posted.
If convicted, the drivers face a fine of up to S$2,000 (US$1,639) or maximum imprisonment of 12 months, or both.
They are currently being held at a police station and are due to appear in court on Thursday.
A total of 171 Chinese bus drivers went on strike on Monday last week in protest at being paid nearly a quarter less than Malaysian drivers working for the same company.
More than half continued to protest on Tuesday but the strike was over by Wednesday.
The last strike was in 1986 by shipyard workers.
On Sunday, 29 drivers had their permits revoked and were deported to China.
The government said a police investigation found that the strike was premeditated and that the drivers had been absent from work without reason.
Others involved in the unrest will be issued warnings but no further action will be taken and they will be allowed to remain and work in Singapore.
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