Abdul Aziz Karim
Singapore
“How much opportunity and time are given to the large number of workers to improve their skills when they are limited to doing routine work? Let us create a climate where the people, like the Germans, for example, are incessantly seeking knowledge and wanting to improve their skills.”
“Sir, the Bill before the House is more modern and progressive than the existing law. However, I have some reservations in respect of certain clauses of the Bill professing to serve the interests of workers. But since it has been indicated that the Bill will go to Select Committee, I reserve my comments on the Bill.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there are examples of harmful styles for our young generation to imitate. This is the society we create. How much can we blame the present generation. First, we must demotivate ourselves.”
“Sir, the Minister has been discussing the best performance of SBS. I have harassed the Minister for Communications regarding this. I am not sorry. It was my duty, and it was his duty to reply to the questions.”
“Any damage is repaired as and when necessary by the Roads Branch of the PWD or the HDB. Oil drippings from buses are inevitable unless a very high standard of maintenance of the buses is exercised by the bus owners. The PWD and HDB do take action against any misuse of the bus termini.”
“Sir, I was saying that repair and maintenance bills are given tax allowance. My question is this. Is it possible for excessive repair and maintenance bills to cause leakages in the SBS finances, when it comes to taxation?”
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“Hardly had we been in the building for five minutes when I heard a loud voice shouting like "Get out" several times. My host, the union boss tried to explain to the foreman, "We have a V.I.P.". That explanation was totally disregarded. He was shouted down and practically abused. We got out of the building. After he had cooled down, the foreman heard the union boss' explanation. Very politely, he brought us in after he had ordered some helmets for us. This is the kind of attitude which foremen or mandores engaged by contractors in our own building and construction site; should have. Unfortunately, they have not. All I can say is that the N.T.U.C, welcome these Regulations. We have made a study of them and I think we could have a period of experimentation, and, if need be, make the necessary amendments as a result of experience.”
“In this regard, when a trench wall collapsed at the construction site of Chartered Industries I think this is a company owned by the Government a worker was buried and killed by an avalanche. The workers downed tools, they said, as a mark of respect for their dead colleague. I think it is not only good wages and bonuses that the workers should be concerned with, but also their safety and health. Therefore, safety and health standards must be maintained at the highest possible level, and the introduction of these Regulations is most welcome to the National Trades Union Congress though the workers in the building and construction field are not organised. In this regard, I think the Chief Inspector of Factories should pay some particular attention to reduce the safety hazards, which the workers face day by day. It is immaterial whether they are citizens or non-citizens. There are some 10.000 citizens, I believe, who are engaged in construction work. For humanitarian reasons, I think more attention should be paid to reduce the safety hazards, which the workers in the engineering construction field face. I would like to make another point. Attempts should be made to correct attitudes towards the question of safety. We can find one thousand and one excuses to ignore safety hazards. Among the excuses there is one quite commonly given when a rational answer cannot be found to a problem whether it is in respect of culture or safety - that it is our Asian way of life. I think we could well profit by adopting some Western habits. There was one incident, which comes to my mind. When I was in Canada in 1963, as a V.I.P., I was brought to a construction site because the union boss there wanted to show me the pride of his town. My host took me to inspect the showpiece of his union.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, industrialisation and the process of construction have attendant hazards. In Singapore, industrialisation and construction work are going on rapidly. The consequence of a disregard of the safety rules to achieve a target is the cause of the rising number of industrial accidents in recent times. This is recognised in the President's speech. I am particularly happy to make an observation of the introduction of the Building Operations and Works of Engineering Construction Regulations which would provide, among other things, comprehensive measures and requirements designed to safeguard the health and safety of workers at the building and engineering construction work sites. These Regulations are most necessary and timely. As is recognised by the Government, the number of accidents in this particular field has been the highest. It can be expected that in the race against time to complete building projects, the accident rate in this area will increase. For instance, the competition among hoteliers to be the first to catch the tourists has caused the people concerned in the building project to disregard all safety rules and precautions necessary for the safety of the workers. There was, for example, an instance at the Mandarin Hotel construction site where two men fell to their death within a short space of time. After the first death, the workers asked for some safety measures to be taken. Their request fell on deaf ears. After the second fall, the workers stopped work. No one could blame them for the stoppage. In fact, with so much disregard for safety by the contractors. I think we could well have some more stoppages. We could not blame the workers for their militancy in this respect.”
“Will the Minister explain whether the Hawkers Department will continue to have a heart when dealing with all the unlicensed hawkers at that particular market?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, if that is the Minister's common sense, why does he allow the present unlicensed hawkers to trade outside St. Michael's Market, as a result of which there is unfair competition between them and the licensed hawkers? Is that common sense?”
“Sir, when all the unauthorised hawkers in the concourse outside St. Michael's Market have been licensed and resited in the new market at Jalan Tenteram, will the Minister allow more unlicensed hawkers to come along?”
“Sir, may I ask the Minister of State whether my information from informed sources is correct, that the workmen's compensation will be increased three to four times the present rate?”
“In view of the fact that about 800 industrial workers have become disabled because of industrial injuries, will the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Labour consider expanding the rehabilitation centres for such persons with a view to obtaining employment for them?”
“Sir, in view of the fact that about 800 industrial workers annually become disabled because of industrial injuries will the Minister for Social Affairs consider expanding the rehabilitation centres for such persons and, when it is completed, transfer such responsibilities to the Ministry of Labour?”
“And at the feet of Parliament! 6.53 p.m.”
“I do hope that each and every Member in this House will resolve to support whatever safety programme there is to ensure the safety and health of our working population. I wish to say this because traditionally Parliament has not been concerned with the workers' safety. I have checked Parliamentary records for the last ten years, and I do not think I am wrong here. The ball is in the hands of the Government!”
“, notably the Jurong Town Corporation, the National Employers Council, the National Productivity Centre, the National Safety First Council, the Singapore Employers Federation, the Singapore Manufacturers Association, the Singapore Medical Association, the Society for Occupational Medicine, the University of Singapore (Faculty of Engineering), the Institution of Engineers, and the Department of Social Medicine and Public Health of the University of Singapore, have all subscribed to the principles laid down in the memorandum of agreement. It is important to note that never in the past have all these organisations come to general agreement and resolution to undertake a project of the utmost social importance. The Director of the National Productivity Centre, who chaired the press conference before the joint memorandum of agreement was presented to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Labour, said that there was full, free and frank discussion on the feasibility of establishing an advisory committee on industrial safety and health and that the report would be of benefit to Singapore. During last year's budget debate I drew the attention of the House to the number of workers who were injured and disabled permanently, or whose injuries had resulted in death. I think it is worth while to quote these figures, so that it can register in our minds once and for all the seriousness of the situation. The number of fatal and permanent disablement cases for the period 1960-69 were: 1960 242 1961 389 1962 480 1963 559 1964 533 1965 637 1966 660 1967 659 1968 804 1969 864 For 1970, I believe the average number of fatal cases is not less than 12 a month.”
“The Coroner said, "Workers working in such hazardous situations should be provided with safety measures, and it is up to the proper authorities to enforce it." Sir, I believe that a dozen men working at this hotel downed their tools when the second man fell to his death. I have always thought that requests for safety measures would be reasonable to ensure the safety of lives. When life is at stake, there is no compromise. What happened at the Mandarin Hotel was not death by misadventure of accidental death, but homicide - a clear and simple case of homicide. The N.T.U.C, is embarking on a programme to instil safety consciousness among workers. The Government on its part must give top priority to its social policy of providing a better and safer working environment. The N.T.U.C, was extremely glad that Dr Goh Keng Swee, the former Minister for Finance, creator and promoter of our industrialisation programme, had proposed the establishment of a Council of Industrial Safety and Health. We welcome it and we agree with the ever-wise Minister that the Council should not be just another forum. The N.T.U.C, has taken the initiative to set in motion the final establishment of such a council. It has obtained general agreement on the terms of reference of this council. Besides the N.T.U.C.”
“834-8], to propose, among other things, firstly, to increase the staff in the Factory Inspectorate; secondly, to upgrade the skill of inspectors to enforce safety provisions; and, thirdly, to introduce stronger legislative measures to promote the safety and health of workers. I am somewhat pleased that the strength of the Factory Inspectorate has been increased by 30 last year, under Establishment Warrant, to meet the urgency of the situation. But I must caution that it is hardly reasonable to expect dramatic improvements immediately just because of the recruitment of six untested technical officers, 16 technicians, and others. There is need for an overall change of attitude from all quarters in industry. Not only is there ignorance and apathy among the workers, but there is also utter disregard among employers in general to protect the safety of workers. What is most important in the month of employers is the attainment of low cost and high profits carried out in the name of productivity, disregarding the safety of workers in the course of it. A typical example of, the general attitude of employers can be cited from what happened at the Mandarin Hotel. When the first building worker fell into .a lift-well and died, the contractor was advised to supply his workers with safety belts. I do not know who advised him - it could be the Factory Inspectorate - but he did not do anything. Then another worker fell and died. But still no safety belts were supplied. And it is shocking to learn that safety belts were supplied only one day before the Coroner's inquiry into the death of the second worker. The verdict was "Death by misadventure".”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to thank the Minister for Finance for his budget speech in Parliament on 8th March, 1971. However, I would like to speak on one subject, appearing in col. 574 [Hansard, 8th March, 1971], in connection with workers' safety, as my colleagues in the N.T.U.C, have dealt with the other aspects of Government policy for the financial year 1971-72. It is important to note that Government has at long last awakened to the fact that the number of industrial accidents resulting in death or permanent disablement has reached alarmingly high proportions. In this respect, the Government's decision to strengthen the Factory Inspectorate in the Ministry of Labour is most welcome. While it is gratifying to learn that the Government has taken a positive step at this juncture, it cannot be complimented at all on its utter lack of foresight in providing effective legislation to protect the safety of industrial workers. Nor can it be complimented on its lack of concern and interest in enforcing the rudimentary provisions of the Factories Ordinance to protect the safety of industrial workers. Nor can it be complimented on having shown any awareness that the number of industrial accidents has been increasing from month to month, from year to year, in the last ten years since we began our industrialisation programme. Members will remember that on the 23rd December, 1969, I asked in this House [Hansard, Vol. 29, cols. 242-6] whether the Government would consider increasing the staff in the Factory Inspectorate as a matter of urgency and importance. But the Government was not too responsive then. Time passed and the situation became worse. During last year's budget debate I had occasion on 20th March, 1970 [Hansard, Vol. 29, cols.”
“Mr Speaker, can the Minister assure me in this House that both the old and new licensees will be given places in the new market to be built by the Housing and Development Board?”
“Sir, we have heard interesting speeches by the Minister for Culture and the Minister for Health. Some intriguing points were made by the Minister for Health when he said that we should not be over concerned with the loss of revenue from duty on tobacco and cigarettes and also loss of revenue from advertisements on T.V. and over the radio to the Ministry of Culture. I must say that I support the passing of this Bill and, finally, the total elimination of cigarette smoking. But can the Minister clarify whether the Government would accept donations from cigarette manufacturers for the promotion of sports and whether the Ministry of Culture would publicity on T.V, and over the radio if, say, the Minister for Social Affairs, who heads the National Sports Promotion Board, were to receive such donations from cigarette manufacturers and whether or not publicity in the news-papers would be allowed? What is the general line of policy the Government will adopt in this regard?”
“So the list of industrial diseases was circulated after the three cases were notified by medical practitioners to the Ministry of Labour. This is such a serious matter that the Ministry of Health took the trouble to circulate the list of industrial diseases to medical practitioners in Singapore.”
“Sir, can the Minister inform this House when the list of industrial diseases was circulated to medical practitioners in Singapore? And why is it that up to June or July this year, only three cases were notified by medical practitioners to the Factory Inspectorate? Are the doctors so ignorant about this matter?”
“Sir, can the Minister for Health inform this House who pays for the treatment -the employers or the state?”
“Sir, I am not against the Bill. But it is not comprehensive enough, it should be similar to the United Kingdom Mines and Quarries Act. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Mr Barker.] Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment: read a Third time and passed. PRESERVATION OF MONUMENTS BILL Order for Second Reading read. 5.45 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker. Sir, I have said that I support this Bill.”
“Yes, Sir,I have had some correspondence with the Chief Inspector of Factories and he gave me the impression that he is the authority who registers granite quarries. With the introduction of the Sand and Granite Quarries Bill and if it becomes law, the licensing of sand and granite quarries will be done by the Director of Public Works or somebody in the Ministry of National Development. I am wondering whether the Chief Inspector of Factories will be carrying out certain functions. Can the Minister give some clarification?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not know who is trying to fool whom. I understand that granite quarries are now being registered under section 6 of the Factories Ordinance because a granite quarry is regarded as a factory which is involved in the process of "breaking up an article".”
“I continue with the quotation: `- the statistics show without doubt that great advances have been made both in the health of the underground workers and in working conditions found in the mines.' 5.33 p.m.”
“To wind up my speech, I would like to quote from an International Labour Organisation publication called The Prevention and Suppression of Dust in Mining, Tunnelling and Quarrying: `From the medical aspect, no satisfactory answer has been found either in the field of therapy, and, although research is being more and more actively pursued into such matters, it seems unlikely that new findings in these fields are being made which could lead to a victory over the two occupational diseases mentioned (silicosis and pneumonoconiosis) in the near future. In the light of present-day knowledge it cannot be doubted that the most fruitful methods for combating the dust diseases are to be found among those which rely on preventing the formation of dust in the various mining operations or upon suppressing it at, or as near as possible to, its source. In those countries which were first to recognise the health hazard of airborne dust and which made provision for the introduction of dust-preventive measures and regular medical examination supported by suitable legislation, So I would like to appeal to the Minister again that he should consider introducing legislation similar to the United Kingdom Mines and Quarries Act. I continue with the quotation: `- and where the compulsory payment of compensation for miners who contracted silicosis encouraged the application of such measures, -` Here, I would like to appeal to the Minister again to urge his colleague, the Minister for Labour, to make silicosis a notifiable disease - it is so in the Factories Ordinance - and to make it a compensable disease in the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance.”
“I hope the authorities will look into the dangers that are prevalent in granite quarries, and I hope the Minister will assure the House that he will introduce more comprehensive legislation, such as is found in the United Kingdom Mines and Quarries Act of 1954. Will the Minister also assure the House that the P.W.D, has the necessary personnel to administer satisfactorily the safety provisions in the Bill? In the past, the Factory Inspectorate in the Ministry of Labour could not manage to do so, so much so that many granite quarry workers in Singapore suffer from some form of pulmonary disease. However, since the Factory Inspectorate will be strengthened considerably I have a written assurance from the Ministry of Labour that it will be so - will the Minister designate the Chief Inspector of Factories to be the Licensing Officer referred to in clause 3 of the Bill, with tile courtesy anti agreement of the Minister for Labour of course? I consider such an arrangement possible because the Factory Inspectorate administers the general safety provisions in quarries. I prefer to concentrate the administration of safety provisions in one authority rather than in several departments. otherwise they might run their affairs at cross-purposes and cancel one another's efforts because of varying departmental attitudes and policies. Further, I would propose that the Licensing Officer should be obliged to refer to the Industrial Health Unit of the Ministry of Health before a quarry is licensed to ensure that there are adequate provisions to protect the health of workers and the general public. Next, I wish to suggest that the Minister should impress upon his colleague, the Minister for Labour, to include silicosis as a compensable disease under the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance.”
“Mr Speaker. Sir, I rise to support the introduction of the Sand and Granite Quarries Bill the purpose of which has been explained by the Minister. However, I must express my regret and disappointment that there are no provisions to protect the life, health and safety of the workers. There is little on safety except in clause 13. Clause 13 (1) is concerned with mechanical safety, and clause 13 (2) seems to be mainly concerned with the danger of blasting injuries. There is no mention of precautions to be taken against the great danger of silicosis to workers. I understand that silicosis can he controlled by (a) the use of exhaust ventilation, and (b) the use of wetting methods, and (c) the use of respirators. I hope regulations will be made by the Minister for the purpose of ensuring the health and safety of people working in granite quarries. I believe some studies have been made in the past regarding the occurrence of silicosis in granite quarries. I understand that a study made of 40 workers of an original group of 62 men and women attending Medical Unit II. Silicosis Clinic. Outram Road General Hospital, since 1955 was reviewed for morbidity. It was found that (a) the incidence of silicosis had increased by 16 per cent from 80.69 per cent in 1955 to 96.7 per cent in 1968; (b) silico-tuberculosis had increased from 24.2 per cent to 43.7 per cent: (c) the highest mortality and morbidity rates were seen among crusher-stone truckers, crusher feeders and driers; (d) resistant pulmonary tuberculosis and pneumothorax were the main causes of death.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Minister explain why the people who were affected by clearance action in other areas outside Kallang were allocated flats in Kallang? And why the people in Kallang who were affected by clearance action were given flats outside Kallang, because there were no flats available in Kallang at the time clearance action was taken by the Housing and Development Board? What is the wisdom of that policy?”
“Will the Housing and Development Board tenants who are now staying in slum-like overcrowded one-room flats in the Kallang Basin Estate be given preference in transferring to bigger flats in Balestier Estate, and will they continue to stay in the Kallang Constituency?”
“Will the prices be subject to bargaining?”
“Will the land be sold to the temples and, if so, at what price?”
“Sir, does the Minister for Communications support my proposal that the S.T.C, buses should run into the Estate during the course of this year?”
“Sir, is it possible to divert buses now serving Serangoon and Boon Keng Roads into the Estate within this year?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the present community centre is just like the "Black Hole of Calcutta"! Will the Minister agree to rectify the situation?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, if the Minister will consider providing an additional community centre or two medium-sized ones in the Kallang Basin Industrial Housing Estates, that will be agreeable.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, does the Minister agree with the statement made by the new Director of the People's Association that one of the ways to improve the standard of living of the poorer people is to provide adequate social and recreational facilities in the form of community centres?”
“Does the Minister think that the People's Association, of which he is in charge, the Housing and Development Board and the Jurong Town Corporation have in the past engaged in imaginative forward planning to provide social and recreational amenities, particularly in Kallang Basin where the population, the working population included, is growing day by day?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, does the Minister think that the People's Association, the Housing and Development Board and the Jurong Town Corporation have in the past engaged in imaginative forward plan-fling to provide social and recreational amenities, particularly in Kallang Basin, where the population is growing day by day? Mr Lim Kim San: Can the Member repeat the first part of his supplementary question?”
“Does the Minister consider a ground floor unit adequate to serve the needs of a population of thousands in Kallang?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, from his replies, the Minister for Health has not been negligent or slow in solving one of the problems in Kallang. And I hope he will also not be slow in attending to the other problem! Anyway, I will give him a chance. If nothing is done, I shall make public statements against his Ministry! I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Last but not least, I hope the Minister will accept my suggestion that in order to keep an eye on the problem of air pollution, a council should be set up as soon as possible comprising doctors and engineers from the Industrial Health Unit, the Environmental Health Division, the Public Utilities Board, the Public Works Department, representatives from the industry, the Automobile Association of Singapore, and other relevant bodies who can co-operate in this respect. I do not think any kind of inter-departmental committee composed of Government departments will be able to make a proper assessment of this problem and combat pollution of our atmosphere.”
“One can witness hundreds of cars, lorries and buses emitting black fumes and smoke, and still the drivers and owners get off scot-free. It must be realised that petrol engines also cause air pollution. According to some studies made in the U.S.A. and Australia, petrol vehicles cause some 60.6 per cent of total air pollutant in the air and emits 92.9 per cent of total carbon monoxide emitted by all sorts of air pollution. I would suggest to the Minister for Health to press for legislation to make it necessary for vehicles to undergo a stringent test every five years. The owners of such vehicles should be made to rectify all faults before the vehicles could be allowed on the road again. Any owner who uses such a vehicle against the instructions of the authorities should be brought to book, and persistent offenders should have their vehicles confiscated and condemned, and no vehicles should be auctioned by the Government itself until the faults have been rectified. It must not try to make a quick profit. Furthermore, those who market bulk petrol should be made to reach an agreement among themselves not to market lead added fuel. I have received advice from some competent authority that if all oil companies do not compete with one another by adding lead additives, we would probably make some headway to reduce air pollution. One other measure which we can take at this stage is possibly to make it necessary for ships to fit anti-smoke devices. Factory chimneys should be made tall enough and anti-smoke and dust traps should be installed. For factories discharging effluence, properly designed traps should be installed to minimise discharge of harmful effluence into the sea.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, this cement factory is not the only factory causing air pollution. However, I am glad that the Government will be taking measures to combat the pollution of air and water in Singapore. I think we are fortunate in having a Prime Minister who does not like smoke to such an extent that he will not address a group meeting if there is smoking going on. Coming back to the issue under consideration, Sir, I am informed by the Prime Minister's Office that the cement factory will be relocated to another site as soon as negotiations for an alternative site have been finalised. Four and a half months have passed since the representation to the Prime Minister's Office was made. If the Minister for Health is so concerned - I hope he will be concerned about this problem - he will do something quickly to solve this problem which is affecting the health of the people staying in that part of Kallang. In my opinion, air pollution in Singapore is caused at the present moment more by vehicles than by factories. In spite of what the Registry of Vehicles and the Police may have boasted they have done, they have been total failures in punishing culprits responsible for air pollution. I think more drastic measures must be taken by the authorities as a whole in combating atmospheric pollution. The Ministry of Health may want to believe that the problem of air pollution is but a minor nuisance. But I do not think so. I do not think that the condition of our public and private vehicles can compare more favourably than that of the public and private vehicles in other places where the density of population is comparable to that of Singapore. The maintenance consciousness among vehicle owners in Singapore is truly shocking.”
“It covers the houses, cars, furniture and other household effects. Washing is made dirty. Health becomes endangered. The residents waited and waited for some form of action to be taken by the Ministry of Health. It is my understanding that the Ministry of Health had proposed some measures, but they were ineffective because there were no built-in dust trapping devices. However, the factory was allowed to continue its operations during all these years. How long more will the residents, school children and teachers in the area have to suffer? The residents, frustrated at having to wait for the Ministry of Health to do something positive, re-directed their complaint to the Prime Minister's Office. This may be a surprise to the Minister.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 1303 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1081*. (* The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr J. F. Conceicao) Sir, it is realised and generally agreed that we must industrialise rapidly. I hope that in the course of industrialisation, we do not forget problems arising from industrial activities. One of these problems is that of water and air pollution caused by refineries, steel works, cement works, foundries, quarries, power stations and other forms of industrial undertakings. Sir, ten years ago, before we began to industrialise, the problem did not cause much concern. Even the Ministry of Health did not reckon that the problem required special attention and forward planning, as was in the Annual Report of 1967. I would like to quote one instance where the Ministry of Health has failed the people in this direction. The Ministry seems not to have been bothered in the least about the health hazard caused by cement dust to the health of school children and teachers at Towner School, Whampoa School, Balestier Mixed Boys and Girls School and also to the health of the residents staying at the Government quarters along McNair Road and Towner Road. 7.00 p.m. The residents, out of concern for the health of the school children, teachers and themselves, have complained about the dust which they have had to breathe almost 24 hours a day for many years past. Mr Speaker, Sir, this cement factory has a fleet of tracks which run at intervals of approximately ten minutes and, in the course of transporting the cement, have to pass along the schools and houses along Towner Road and McNair Road. When these trucks pass by, a thick dust of cement fills the air.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I will not apologise to the Minister for Health for my great concern for the health and welfare of the workers. After all, I am a trade unionist and, being the people's representative in Kallang which has factories and where the residents go to work in the factories, naturally I must show some concern, if not serious concern, for the health and safety of the workers. However, since the Minister has assured this House that he proposes to expand the Unit as time goes by, and I believe that the Ministry of Finance has shown greater co-operation and probably will show greater co-operation in the future, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Probably the Treasury bureaucrats who sit in their cool, clean and comfortable offices are not very convinced that Singapore's economic progress depends partly on the health of the workers. The Minister for Health will be rest assured that all workers and thinking people are behind him in his fight, if he makes it his fight, with the Treasury to get a bigger allocation for the Industrial Health Unit. I would have been able to thank the Minister for Health heartily if he had set up the Industrial Health Unit on a more sound basis. I hope the Minister for Finance will take note that it is important to safeguard the health of the workers in the course of industrialising the country, for here lies the future of Singapore.”
“Without casting any aspersions on the incumbents of the two latter mentioned posts, I would like to say that this is the biggest joke ever played by the Minister for Health so far. It will take a couple of years more before these trainee public health inspectors and student nurses qualify and gain experience in the field of industrial health. I must say that the Minister for Health had the greatest audacity to announce in Parliament on the 22nd of December 1969, that there were going to be a full-time medical officer - this is granted now - an industrial hygienist with an engineering background, and eight other professional and non-professional staff. It is agreed there will be one stenographer, one general clerical assistant, one watchman and one office boy. The Minister for Health knows as well as I do that the Industrial Health Unit does not depend so much on stenographers, clerks, watchmen and office boys. Where are the professional staff that he knows will give adequate industrial health services? I think the Industrial Health Unit is under-staffed and rickety and will be unable to realise all the objectives laid down by the Unit. I hope the Minister for Health will be able to assure this House that the Industrial Health Unit will not be like some bogus insurance companies that we can find in Singapore. Sir, what has gone wrong between 22nd December, 1969, and now? If I have my finger at the right point, I think it is the Treasury boys who are against the plan of the Ministry of Health just as they were against the upgrading of the post of Chief Inspector of Factories and the stepping up of the expansion of the Factory Inspectorate.”
“The proposed plan provides for only one senior health officer, while I consider that more than one doctor will be required to look after the industrial health of around 80,000 workers in the manufacturing industries. An authority, the President of the Society of Occupational Medicine, in an article reproduced in a souvenir magazine commemorating a public forum on "Health, Labour and Productivity", in conjunction with World Health Day, estimated that at least five doctors would be required to run the Unit efficiently, besides being adequately staffed and equipped. The differences in the reckonings of the Ministry and the President of the Society of Occupational Medicine are too wide apart to make both right. One must be terribly off the mark. I am convinced that the Industrial Health Unit requires more than one doctor to function satisfactorily. Will the Minister for Health make a categorical statement that one doctor will be sufficient to achieve fully the programme laid out by him? Let us examine the dramatic changes that have been brought about by the Minister for Health. Instead of an ad hoc inter-departmental industrial health committee, we have a permanently established Industrial Health Unit within the Public Health Division. Instead of having a doctor shuttling to and from the Ministry of Health and the Factory Inspectorate on two mornings each week, we have a full-time senior health officer attached to the industrial Health Unit. In addition, there is an inspector of Factories pinched from the Factory Inspectorate. There are also going to be two trainee public health inspectors and two student nurses at the earlier stages, if I presume correctly.”