Singapore deports Chinese bus drivers after protest

Singapore has deported 29 Chinese bus drivers and criminally charged five

others for staging the country's first strike in 26 years.

Last week, 171 drivers recruited from China participated in a walkout over pay

and living conditions.

The incident has thrown scrutiny on the city-state's policies on foreign,

low-skilled labour.

Beijing has said it is concerned about the arrest of its nationals.

On Monday, one of the men will face criminal charges under laws that prohibit

against workers from initiating, continuing or participating in illegal

strikes. Four men were charged last week.

Strikes are illegal in Singapore for workers in essential services, unless the

employer is given 14 days notice.

Authorities said in a statement on Saturday that the work permits of 29 other

drivers would be revoked, followed by their deportation. None of the men were

identified.

No more charges or deportations are expected, the statement said.

The strike, which involved drivers for state-controlled SMRT, was the first

major labour action in the city state since 1986.