Migrant workers are protected under Singapore laws and in most instances have similar rights and obligations as local workers under our labour legislation. They have the right to join a union, right to be represented by a union and to seek legal recourse or appeal to the relevant authorities to help resolve grievances. Both local and migrant workers have a right under Singapore's labour legislation to take industrial action or go on strike. They can do so following the requisite procedural requirements as set out in the relevant laws. Nothing in Singapore laws deprive both locals and migrant workers save for the procedural requirements such as in this case involving public transport workers.
As for convention 97 highlighted by the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU), SNTUC would like to point out that due to different circumstances across countries, it has not been ratified by a number of countries including Singapore. It is also worth noting that it has not been listed by the ILO as one of its core conventions.
Aggrieved migrant workers can approach the Migrant Workers' Centre (MWC), set up by the Singapore National Trades Union Congress (SNTUC) and the Singapore National Employers' Federation, to seek advice and assistance when needed. While enjoying the protection of the law and the rights accorded to them, local and migrant workers have to abide by the laws of the country of work including the legitimate process of staging industrial or strike action.
The NTUC supports the actions taken by the Singapore Government in the handling of this illegal strike. It is important to send a clear signal to all workers whether local or migrant to observe the rule of law and comply with them. Any action that is illegal must and will be dealt with firmly, regardless of whether the workers are local or foreign. Here in Singapore, we have a system in place to deal with workplace issues and grievances, one that has been painstakingly built over the years and has served us well. This must continue.
Our position was conveyed to ITUC-Asia Pacific Office on 30th November 2012, and we again conveyed our position to HKCTU this afternoon. It is regrettable that the protest has taken place.
We hope the union leaders of HKCTU can respect the importance of abiding by the rule of law and for workers to respect the laws of the country they work in.
Yeo Khee Leng
Director
International Affairs
Singapore National Trades Union Congress
