MOM action on Allied Technologies Limited?

[Alfpoon]

'Many of us were in tears'

 

by Tan May Ping

 

THEY had worked at the same company for eight to 15 years.

 

But now 21 of them are jobless. On September 12, they resigned from their jobs as assembly operators at Allied Technologies Limited.

 

The Singapore-listed company, which produces metal components for diverse industries, is relocating its Singapore factory operations to Johor.

 

The workers said they were told on September 12, a Friday, that they had to start work in the Johor factory the following Monday.

 

They claimed that when they refused, they were told to resign.

 

Many did, but now they regret it, and allege they had been 'forced' to quit.

 

The New Paper could not get Allied Tech's side of the story as the management did not respond to our queries despite more than 10 calls. E-mail queries to the chief executive, executive director and group general manager also went unanswered.

 

Madam Wong Siang Luan, one of those who quit, said a clerk called the workers into the main office at their work place in Bukit Batok Street 22 and told them about having to work in Johor from Monday.

 

'None of us wanted to work there. The clerk said if we didn't agree, we would have to sign a resignation form. But we refused,' said Madam Wong in a mixture of Mandarin and Malay.

 

The women, mostly in their 50s and 60s, then went back to work.

 

Their supervisor later told them that if they signed the form, they would get at least a month's pay, said Madam Wong.

 

'He said that if we didn't sign, we would have to go to Johor to work. We didn't know what to do,' she added.

 

After that, one by one, the women signed the resignation forms.

 

Each of them was then handed a letter and told not to report to work any more.

 

'Many of us were in tears, while others were controlling their emotions. We felt forced into signing the paper,' said Madam Wong.

 

The letter, which Madam Wong showed The New Paper, acknowledged her letter of resignation and said the company 'will compensate the short notice salary in lieu from September 12 2008 to October 11 2008'.

 

Madam Wong, whose monthly salary was $613, said she is not clear how much she would be getting. As they were usually paid on the 7th of every month, she is waiting to see if she will be paid on 7 Oct.

 

Another worker, who declined to be named, said she held out initially from signing but caved in when everyone else did so.

 

No notice

 

The woman, who has been with the company for almost 10 years, felt that it should have given them time to consider the move.

 

'They didn't give us any notice, nothing in black and white. We were shocked when we opened the letter, and it said they accepted our resignation. I really regret signing it.'

 

Madam Wong said: 'No one told us anything until the day itself. They didn't have the decency to tell us earlier or to give us any extra compensation after all these years. We won't even get our year-end bonus.'

 

She said she and her colleagues are worried that they will not be able to find another job at their age.

 

'I keep kicking myself for signing the form. I am angry they treated us this way after we worked for them for so many years.'

 

http://www.asiaone.com/Business/News/Offic...0930-90923.html

[Hmsg]

So much for staff welfare... should have given early notice at least 3 mths prior...

[Babyckh]

Theoretically, there is nothing MOM can do since those workers had already signed the letter of resignation. As stated, they were given 1 month's pay in-lieu, which is in line with MOM Employment Act.

 

My take :

 

It is a calculated move as not to pay the retrenchment benefits. I feel it is very unethical for the company to have treated the workers in this manner especially when they had worked in the company for more then 5 years.

 

[Ff2004]

Our labour union very weak and cannot depend on them also.

They usually cannot do anything except close both eyes.

[Xefera]

Labour Union = Govt. What do you expect them to do? Left hand slap right hand ah?

[Xefera]

the bloody management.

[Windwaver]

$613 ......... for 15~21 years

[Ff2004]

You are right. That is why I never join ntuc labour union at all. Useless!

[Xefera]

[Ff2004]

I am wondering if they choose to work in Johor, what is the salary package they will offer to their employees. Same pay? Any transportation to ferry them back to Singapore?

[Xefera]

these people are just merciless. bet this is going to be one of the high profile cases we will see in the few months to come. too much public exposure for MOM to sit by and do nothing. the way i read it, the workers are coerced into signing, definitely not voluntarily

[Alfpoon]

really feel bad for them...working for a listed company yet get such treatment.

Edited October 1, 2008 by Alfpoon

[Ff2004]

Ungrateful firm. Only care about their businesses not workers.

What to do.....sad for them.

[Gary84]

f*** man....tats crazy lor...even foreign workers get average basic of 800-1000 working in shipyards...

[Gary84]

too bad MOM cannot step in...If not im hoping to see the higher mgmt gets punished for such a merciless act...

Edited October 1, 2008 by Gary84

[Kb27]

Anyone thinking that there is such a thing as loyalty working a company; X no. of years should seriously wake up.

Every business decision is make for company survival.

It doesn't matter if the employee is 1 day old or 20 years old.

 

Pity those who still believe in dreamland.

[Stary]

Theoretically, there is nothing MOM can do since those workers had already signed the letter of resignation. As stated, they were given 1 month's pay in-lieu, which is in line with MOM Employment Act.

 

My take :

 

It is a calculated move as not to pay the retrenchment benefits. I feel it is very unethical for the company to have treated the workers in this manner especially when they had worked in the company for more then 5 years.

 

 

Change in business direction and staff need to change as well. If they refuse to adapt, it is just natural that they have to resign.

 

If suddenly my company says I need to be relocated to India for 3 years with a certain pay package. If I don't like the package, then I just have to quit if they insist I have to go. There is nothing wrong with that.

 

Why should people expect a company to treat you like a "family member" just because you work there for a long time? A company exist to make money for their shareholders. Certainly not for exercising compassion. That's for charity, not companies. Vice-versa, I certainly don't treat my company as my 2nd home. If they don't pay me fairly, I leave. Simple. The workplace is just a mutual exchange of $$$ and services. Nothing more than that.

 

For Allied case, they should have probably give them longer notice period, but it's common for a one month notice for Operator level. The good thing for those operators in Allied is that since their pay is so low, and they are locals, it should not be a problem for them to find jobs again.

[Babyckh]

Man, I think you are way off course.

 

There isnt any close working relationship mentioned in the paper.

It's not about loyalty or otherwise...it's about forced to resign. It's about being treated unfairly.

 

Your 3rd paragraph spokes alot about you. You should join Allied as a management. They should welcome you with open arms and legs.

 

What is so good about being a low-pay elderly local? Are you sure it is easy for them to find a job?

 

Go ask around and chk out the current economy. Dun always believe in what the Shxt Times reports. The newspaper was labeled for a reason.