[h=2]Shanghai tunneling group faces 82 charges[/h]
June 5th, 2014 |
Author: Editorial
The Manpower Ministry in a statement today (5 Jun), revealed that 82
charges have been leveled against the Shanghai Tunnel Engineering group for
contravening the Singapore’s Employment Act. Three other construction companies
were also similarly charged: JK Integrated, Ng Brothers Scaffolding and Straits
Construction.
The cases came to light when MOM conducted checks at construction work sites
and feedback surfaced through workers and third-parties.
MOM investigated 2 companies of Shanghai Tunnel Engineering group:
MOM’s investigations established that seven employees of both companies
worked more than 72 hours of overtime in June 2013 and July 2013. Under the EA,
working more 72 hours of overtime a month is prohibited, and both companies did
not have an exemption from MOM for their employees to do so.
Both companies also deducted amounts that ranged from $100 to $200 from 14
employees’ monthly salaries from June to August 2013. The companies claimed that
the deductions were meant as “savings” for the employees as well as retaining
them and that “those monies would be returned to the employees at the end of
their employment”. However, such deductions are not authorised under the
Employment Act.
In addition, both companies did not give 13 of their daily-rated employees
paid annual leave and paid public holidays.
In total, the 2 companies in Shanghai Tunnel Engineering group faces:
MOM cautions employers that they must fulfil their legal obligations, and
ensure that employees are given their statutory benefits under Singapore’s
employment laws.
“We strongly urge errant companies to review and rectify illegal and
unreasonable clauses in their employment contracts. We will take action against
companies that flout or disregard our employment laws,” MOM said.
Workers or members of the public with information on employment-related
offences may call the MOM hotline at (65) 6438 5122 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting
(65) 6438 5122 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlighting or email MOM
at [email protected].
All details will be kept strictly confidentia, MOM assured.
Shanghai Tunnel Engineering won $421 million LTA tender
Last year, Shanghai Tunnel Engineering was awarded the $421 million contract
to construct Thomson Line tunnels in Woodlands (‘LTA
awards $421M contract to Shanghai Tunnel Engineering‘).
LTA said that Shanghai Tunnel Engineering is a China company with extensive
experience in transit projects in Singapore. TRE then did a cursory check on the
Net with regard to Shanghai Tunnel Engineering and found that it had an
interesting past.
Ten years ago, while constructing subway lines in Shanghai, three executives
were arrested for negligence resulting in the collapse of a subway tunnel that
cost the city about 150 million yuan [Link].
One of those arrested was a project manager from Shanghai Tunnel
Engineering.
The arrests followed an investigation into the accident, which found that
improper management and inadequate emergency response measures were to blame for
the tunnel cave-in. The collapse caused nearby land and buildings to sink.
Shanghai Tunnel Engineering was involved in the construction of the subway
tunnel then. The Shanghai authority even downgraded Shanghai Tunnel
Engineering’s qualification status for urban construction projects.
The authority blamed the three executives for failing to take remedial action
in response to technical problems in the equipment used to build the tunnel.
Flaws in the engineering plan as well as inappropriate on-site management and
engineering supervision contributed to the accident.
Other senior staff in Shanghai Tunnel Engineering who had not been arrested
were summarily dismissed, including the general manager and a deputy general
manager.
Subsequently, a reader wrote in to sound his concern about the reliability of
Shanghai Tunnel Engineering (‘Netizen
concerned about Shanghai Tunnel Engineering building our tunnels‘).
He asked, “Can we rely on Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co Ltd for safety and
reliability with their track records?”
“Was STE awarded the contract based on the cheapest tender price? Wouldn’t it
be penny-wise pound-foolish; worse, risking Singaporeans’ (albeit slavish)
lives?” he further questioned. “Is China’s widespread and well-known
bribery/corruption culture likely to infect the contract or construction –
resulting in unsafe works?”
Another reader by the name of “TRE people are myopic” immediately jumped in
to defend Shanghai Tunnel Engineering (‘Defending
LTA’s decision to award tunneling work to PRC company‘).
This reader said, “I feel ashamed as a Singaporean after reading TRE’s
editorial (‘LTA
awards $421M contract to Shanghai Tunnel Engineering‘) and the comment
postings by netizens who behaved like savages out for blood.”
“I can only conclude that TRE and its readers are just a bunch of bigots,
unfairly targeting at mainland Chinese.” he added.
He also explained that by awarding the tender to the lowest bid, it helps to
save money for taxpayers:
“LTA has gone through a public tender process to award the project to the
lowest bid. This helps to save money for taxpayers, your money. Now, is that
wrong? Are you expecting LTA to award the project to the highest and most
expensive bidder?”
“The fact that the Chinese company can win the project with the lowest bid
shows that they are able to keep their cost low, ultimately benefiting taxpayers
– that’s you. Again, is that wrong?”
“The article then unfairly quoted an accident by the Chinese company while
building the Shanghai subway. This was like a decade ago. Now, let me ask you,
is that fair? The previous management have already been dealt with by the
Chinese authorities, as described in the news link provided in the article.
Don’t you think the new management taking over the company would have learned
their lessons and be even more careful managing future projects?”
“Do not try to stereotype and paint all Chinese companies black just because
they are from China. There are good ones and bad ones, just like there are good
and bad companies in Singapore.”
“I think TRE and its readers should just grow up! You guys are just arguing
for the sake of arguing and should be ashamed of yourselves, trying to pick on
the mainland Chinese.”
“PS. If TRE doesn’t want to publish this letter, I can understand.”
charges have been leveled against the Shanghai Tunnel Engineering group for
contravening the Singapore’s Employment Act. Three other construction companies
were also similarly charged: JK Integrated, Ng Brothers Scaffolding and Straits
Construction.
The cases came to light when MOM conducted checks at construction work sites
and feedback surfaced through workers and third-parties.
MOM investigated 2 companies of Shanghai Tunnel Engineering group:
- Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co. Ltd – facing 47 charges
- Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co. (Singapore) Pte Ltd – facing 35 charges
MOM’s investigations established that seven employees of both companies
worked more than 72 hours of overtime in June 2013 and July 2013. Under the EA,
working more 72 hours of overtime a month is prohibited, and both companies did
not have an exemption from MOM for their employees to do so.
Both companies also deducted amounts that ranged from $100 to $200 from 14
employees’ monthly salaries from June to August 2013. The companies claimed that
the deductions were meant as “savings” for the employees as well as retaining
them and that “those monies would be returned to the employees at the end of
their employment”. However, such deductions are not authorised under the
Employment Act.
In addition, both companies did not give 13 of their daily-rated employees
paid annual leave and paid public holidays.
In total, the 2 companies in Shanghai Tunnel Engineering group faces:
- 40 counts for making illegal deductions
- 16 counts for making employees work overtime beyond 72 hours a month without
exemption
- 14 counts for not granting paid annual leave to employees who worked beyond
3 months of service
- 12 counts for failure to provide paid holiday
MOM cautions employers that they must fulfil their legal obligations, and
ensure that employees are given their statutory benefits under Singapore’s
employment laws.
“We strongly urge errant companies to review and rectify illegal and
unreasonable clauses in their employment contracts. We will take action against
companies that flout or disregard our employment laws,” MOM said.
Workers or members of the public with information on employment-related
offences may call the MOM hotline at (65) 6438 5122 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting
at [email protected].
All details will be kept strictly confidentia, MOM assured.
Shanghai Tunnel Engineering won $421 million LTA tender
Last year, Shanghai Tunnel Engineering was awarded the $421 million contract
to construct Thomson Line tunnels in Woodlands (‘LTA
awards $421M contract to Shanghai Tunnel Engineering‘).
LTA said that Shanghai Tunnel Engineering is a China company with extensive
experience in transit projects in Singapore. TRE then did a cursory check on the
Net with regard to Shanghai Tunnel Engineering and found that it had an
interesting past.
Ten years ago, while constructing subway lines in Shanghai, three executives
were arrested for negligence resulting in the collapse of a subway tunnel that
cost the city about 150 million yuan [Link].
One of those arrested was a project manager from Shanghai Tunnel
Engineering.
The arrests followed an investigation into the accident, which found that
improper management and inadequate emergency response measures were to blame for
the tunnel cave-in. The collapse caused nearby land and buildings to sink.
Shanghai Tunnel Engineering was involved in the construction of the subway
tunnel then. The Shanghai authority even downgraded Shanghai Tunnel
Engineering’s qualification status for urban construction projects.
The authority blamed the three executives for failing to take remedial action
in response to technical problems in the equipment used to build the tunnel.
Flaws in the engineering plan as well as inappropriate on-site management and
engineering supervision contributed to the accident.
Other senior staff in Shanghai Tunnel Engineering who had not been arrested
were summarily dismissed, including the general manager and a deputy general
manager.
Subsequently, a reader wrote in to sound his concern about the reliability of
Shanghai Tunnel Engineering (‘Netizen
concerned about Shanghai Tunnel Engineering building our tunnels‘).
He asked, “Can we rely on Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co Ltd for safety and
reliability with their track records?”
“Was STE awarded the contract based on the cheapest tender price? Wouldn’t it
be penny-wise pound-foolish; worse, risking Singaporeans’ (albeit slavish)
lives?” he further questioned. “Is China’s widespread and well-known
bribery/corruption culture likely to infect the contract or construction –
resulting in unsafe works?”
Another reader by the name of “TRE people are myopic” immediately jumped in
to defend Shanghai Tunnel Engineering (‘Defending
LTA’s decision to award tunneling work to PRC company‘).
This reader said, “I feel ashamed as a Singaporean after reading TRE’s
editorial (‘LTA
awards $421M contract to Shanghai Tunnel Engineering‘) and the comment
postings by netizens who behaved like savages out for blood.”
“I can only conclude that TRE and its readers are just a bunch of bigots,
unfairly targeting at mainland Chinese.” he added.
He also explained that by awarding the tender to the lowest bid, it helps to
save money for taxpayers:
“LTA has gone through a public tender process to award the project to the
lowest bid. This helps to save money for taxpayers, your money. Now, is that
wrong? Are you expecting LTA to award the project to the highest and most
expensive bidder?”
“The fact that the Chinese company can win the project with the lowest bid
shows that they are able to keep their cost low, ultimately benefiting taxpayers
– that’s you. Again, is that wrong?”
“The article then unfairly quoted an accident by the Chinese company while
building the Shanghai subway. This was like a decade ago. Now, let me ask you,
is that fair? The previous management have already been dealt with by the
Chinese authorities, as described in the news link provided in the article.
Don’t you think the new management taking over the company would have learned
their lessons and be even more careful managing future projects?”
“Do not try to stereotype and paint all Chinese companies black just because
they are from China. There are good ones and bad ones, just like there are good
and bad companies in Singapore.”
“I think TRE and its readers should just grow up! You guys are just arguing
for the sake of arguing and should be ashamed of yourselves, trying to pick on
the mainland Chinese.”
“PS. If TRE doesn’t want to publish this letter, I can understand.”
