Hock Lee Bus Riot

Part II: Why did the riot happen?

The riot happened because the members of the Singapore Bus Workers' Union (SBWU) were unhappy with the poor working conditions, long working hours of work and low amount of salary from the company called 'Hock Lee Amalgamated Bus Company'. They started to go on strike for better pay and working conditions. The company did not want to give in and in response to this, they dismissed 229 workers.

Hock Lee Bus Riot

Part I: Introduction

These riots began on April 23, 1955, when the workers from the Hock Lee Amalgamated Bus Company and some Chinese students began to go on strike.

A video on the Hock Lee Bus Riots