Bus captain hopefuls left stranded after Tower Transit pulls job offers

SINGAPORE — Six bus captain hopefuls have been left in the lurch after Tower Transit offered them jobs only to withdraw the offers after the contracts were signed.

The public transport operator, responding to queries, said that as part of its recruitment activities in December and last month, it “inadvertently” made more offers of bus captain positions than it had available.

“Regrettably, we’re not able to follow through on offers made to six gentlemen at this time,” said a spokesperson. 

The firm also said it is trying to help the six — some of whom are understood to have resigned from previous jobs and are jobless — including referring them to other organisations. 

“It’s a situation that has caused them distress and we’re doing everything we can, including direct referrals to other organisations, to help them find similar positions,” the spokesperson said. TODAY understands partial compensation has been given to the six affected. 

Tower Transit, which hails from the United Kingdom, began operations in Singapore last year after winning the first package of routes tendered under the Government’s bus contracting model. It currently has between 700 to 800 bus drivers.

A reader who tipped TODAY off to the situation said that the affected drivers were informed by email, some a week before they were due to start work. Some have resigned from previous employers to start on the new job, and were left “stranded and distressed”, he added.

Both the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and National Transport Workers’ Union on Wednesday (Feb 15) stressed that once a contract has been signed, both employer and employee should honour the commitment.

The MOM said that, given that the employee might have resigned from his previous job, both parties should honour the contract “unless there are extenuating circumstances requiring the need to prematurely terminate the contract before the individual starts work”. A spokesman said: “In this instance, Tower Transit has acknowledged that there were lapses in their HR process. The company has informed MOM that it is extending assistance to all affected individuals and will compensate them for this early termination.”

National Transport Workers’ Union executive secretary Melvin Yong said: “If either party has to revoke the contract, due notification, explanation and compensation should be given.”

Employers should help those affected get a job as soon as possible, he said, adding the affected employees can approach the union for job placement assistance, through the Employment and Employability Institute.

Affected employees might have limited recourse, however, said human resources experts. 

“Most employment contracts come into effect on the first day of work commencement unless there is an explicit clause stipulating that either party must give notice for not honouring the contract,” said Ms Linda Teo, country manager of ManpowerGroup Singapore. 

However, some employers offer a small amount of compensation out of goodwill, she noted, adding it is difficult to pursue a case when potential employees pull out.