Chitchat SMRT sacks 2 staff over deaths of 2 trainees

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http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/...t/3125356.html
2 SMRT staff sacked over fatal Pasir Ris accident
Posted 14 Sep 2016 11:34 Updated 14 Sep 2016 11:40
Two SMRT staff died after they were hit by an oncoming train near Pasir Ris MRT station on Mar 22, 2016. (Photo: Sue Rosli)

SINGAPORE: Two SMRT staff have been sacked over a fatal accident near Pasir Ris MRT station which killed two trainees in March, the National Transport Workers' Union (NTWU) confirmed on Wednesday (Sep 14).

According to Mr Melvin Yong, the union’s executive secretary, NTWU had asked SMRT not to take action against the staff until official investigations were completed.

“The NTWU understands that SMRT has taken action to dismiss two workers related to the incident,” he said. “NTWU has previously written to SMRT to withhold any actions against the affected workers until completion of official investigations so as to not prejudice the outcome of the official investigations.”

NTWU will review the situation, study the grounds for dismissal and work with the affected staff on their next steps, Mr Yong said.

“The union will continue to render affected staff the necessary support and assistance during this difficult time, as we have since the incident,” he added.

On Mar 22, SMRT trainees Nasrifudin Najumudin, 26, and Muhammad Asyraf Ahmad Buhari, 24, were killed after they were hit by an oncoming train near Pasir Ris MRT station. The two men were part of a team investigating a possible fault involving a signalling device on the tracks.

The public transport operator admitted after the accident that maintenance staff had not followed safety procedures.

In response to a query from Channel NewsAsia, SMRT’s Vice President of Corporate Information and Communications Patrick Nathan said: “We do not comment on staff disciplinary measures.”


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