This whole incident just shows the weakness of
Singapore’s over-reliance of cheap foreign labour. If one day all
these cheap foreign labourers decide to call in sick and stop work,
what’s going to happen?
I won’t comment on SMRT HR practices since I don’t know
what’s going on – whether it’s fair to the Chinese nationals or
not. However, if SMRT provides their dorms and their dorm
conditions are deemed unsatisfactory for living, I believe that is
only decent for SMRT to do something about it.
I understand that they’re here to make a living, make
lots of money to go back home. So why wouldn’t they not want higher
pay and benefits just like their Singapore and Malaysia
counterparts. But the reality is that inequity exists, and you may
find me callous to say this, but they just have to suck it up.
That said, I don’t see the need to negotiate with the
Chinese nationals. The Chinese nationals are no pushovers. They’re
here to make a living, they don’t care whether their mass falling
sick would have an impact on company’s operations or affect the
general public – Singaporeans like you and me. Not trying to
stereotype – but it’s only natural that they act in their own
interests.
Giving in to them would just embolden them and others
to do the same. There would be a second time, a third time, if they
succeed this first time. I know it’s evil to say this, but send
them packing back to China.