On 30 December 2008, 224 PRC workers held a sit-in in front of MOM building to protest against salary arrears. MOM intervene on their behalfs almost immediately and the workers have accepted the terms of settlement though it is not clear what they are (read CNA report).
What the workers did is in clear violation of Singapore’s laws on illegal assembly where a gathering of more than 5 people anywhere on the island except Hong Lim Park constitutes an offence under the Miscellaneous Offence Act.
However, CNA report the matter simply as “the PRC work permit holders approached the ministry for assistance over their employment disputes with their employers.” with no mention of the agenda of the workers.
Why didn’t the state media report the facts truthfully - which is, the PRC workers were there to protest against their employers and to pressurize MOM into taking action ?
It’s even more baffling that there was no police presence nearby to control the crowd and all they did was to issue lame statement “The ministry and the police would not hesitate to take firm action if any laws are violated”.
A crowd of over 200 rowdy, uncouth and angry foreign workers gathering in a public space in a threat to public order and security. What if the crowd turned violent and start to assault passer-bys or damage public structures ?
Read rest of article here:
http://wayangparty.com/2009/01/05/d...s-do-foreigners-have-more-rights-that-locals/
What the workers did is in clear violation of Singapore’s laws on illegal assembly where a gathering of more than 5 people anywhere on the island except Hong Lim Park constitutes an offence under the Miscellaneous Offence Act.
However, CNA report the matter simply as “the PRC work permit holders approached the ministry for assistance over their employment disputes with their employers.” with no mention of the agenda of the workers.
Why didn’t the state media report the facts truthfully - which is, the PRC workers were there to protest against their employers and to pressurize MOM into taking action ?
It’s even more baffling that there was no police presence nearby to control the crowd and all they did was to issue lame statement “The ministry and the police would not hesitate to take firm action if any laws are violated”.
A crowd of over 200 rowdy, uncouth and angry foreign workers gathering in a public space in a threat to public order and security. What if the crowd turned violent and start to assault passer-bys or damage public structures ?
Read rest of article here:
http://wayangparty.com/2009/01/05/d...s-do-foreigners-have-more-rights-that-locals/
