Lim Boon Heng
Singapore
“On the first question on foreign domestic worker levy relief for single women who are looking after their aged parents, I think that question should be addressed to the Minister for Manpower and the Ministry of Finance.”
“I shall address the second point first. When it is clearly an item for a Ministry, a Member should address that question to that Ministry because that Ministry is also responsible for that even if it is related to ageing.”
“For those who wonder what the Fourth Age is, it is basically the last couple of years of your life when you are afflicted by, perhaps, chronic illnesses and therefore need to be cared for.”
“The Wellness Programme applies to all estates. In the pilot project, we deliberately chose 12 pilot sites to reflect different mixes. For example, we chose Ulu Pandan, which has a lot of private estates.”
“Maybe MCYS and the PMO could really look into these RC centres to see whether they could incorporate some of the needs of the elderly in these centres as well, like an extra area for karaoke or even mahjong. This area should be quiet and enclosed because the elderly sing loudly as they cannot hear very well.”
“The process has already started. We are already debating this issue in Parliament. The unions have taken up the issue with the management. I know and I am aware of that. So, let the process take its course.”
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“Member for Chong Boon has questioned whether the 95 hours would not be too short. Therefore, is the part-time course to be conducted by NPB adequate to equip doctors with the required skill? Is the course on par with those run by other industrialized countries for factory doctors? The NPB wants to conduct a part-time course on industrial medicine. I understand that there is a full-time Masters course on Industrial Health at the National University of Singapore. Does this mean that the undergraduate training of doctors is insufficient to equip them with the skills necessary to treat industrial diseases and advise on preventive measures to the extent that NPB has to conduct an additional course? Would the Ministry of Labour not be wiser to point out the deficiencies to the Minister for Health, and the Minister of Education, and could they not ask their respective officers to form a WIT's team to solve this deficiency? I hope that in the near future the Minister for Labour will be able to assure this House and our workers that our doctors will be adequately trained to handle the list of industrial diseases requiring statutory medical examination.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, yesterday several Members spoke in this House on industrial health and safety. In speaking on this amendment, I wish to join them in asking the Minister what is the philosophy and strategy of the Ministry of Labour to ensure that the health of workers exposed to industrial health hazards is protected. What preventive measures at factories and other work places would the Ministry enforce to minimize these hazards? Although the Ministry has from time to time made announcements of measures to be taken to protect workers, I feel it is time that the Ministry made a comprehensive statement of its philosophy and strategy. Since it is the workers who are directly affected by industrial health hazards, our trade unions would be only too pleased to organize a forum for the Minister to explain his Ministry's philosophy, strategy and plans. I believe this would help prevent little storms from brewing, such as the current battle over the registration of dental clinics as factories, or the minor dispute that arose out of the subject of Designated Factory Doctors. On the question of Designated Factory Doctors, I must say that I am a layman and cannot decide from the reports of the verbal battle between the NPB and the medical practitioners who is right and who is wrong. However, I would be failing in my duty if I do not express the concern of my fellow workers on this subject. First of all, is there any disagreement over the objective of appointing DFDs? It appears to the ordinary workers that the NPB's objective is a good one. Why did the medical practitioners object? I believe the medical practitioners do support the objective of the NPB. 3.45 p.m. Is there something lacking in the NPB's course? The hon.”
“To ask the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education whether he is aware that students who fail to obtain a credit in English as the first language are denied admission to pre-university classes, the Polytechnics and vocational institutes although they obtain good results in other subjects, and whether his Ministry will permit such students to pursue pre-university education and at the same time be given remedial instruction in English, in order that such students are given the opportunity to maximise their potential.”
“(4) That the sum to be allocated for Head R be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead RC-03 of the Main Estimates.”
“It has been seen that prices of condominiums have come down and in future may even go down further. If an owner has to sell when the price drops, the CPF may not be able to recover fully the funds used, Evidently, there are certain risks when one buys property. Since CPF funds are the statutory savings of members, then when we permit them to use their CPF savings to buy property, we must allow them to assume those risks which may mean a reduction in the member's CPF savings. So in the case of a person buying an HDB flat directly from an existing owner, we should permit the purchaser to finance it with his CPF savings up to 80% of the assessed free market value of the flat, and not limit it to HDB's subsidized price. Sir, I hope the Minister will reconsider such cases favourably. A re-appeal has been submitted to the Ministry. I strongly feel that this request should be granted. To grant this request would be completely in line with our social policy of preserving the family as the basic building block of our society.”
“He has to raise the finance for the balance above the HDB's posted price from other sources. No bank or financial institution is prepared to accept a second mortgage for the amount above the HDB's posted price. Unless the purchaser has other financial resources, he will not be able to purchase directly from existing HDB owners. Sir, recently one of my constituents who was staying with his parents, had the rare opportunity of buying the adjacent flat. If he buys over the flat, he could continue to live close to his parents, in fact, next door. However, he could not raise the extra finance. He appealed to the CPF Board, first directly, then through me, to be permitted to finance the purchase through his CPF savings. The CPF Board, however, would not flex the rules. The reason for turning down this request, I understand, is that CPF savings are meant to provide for old age, and the CPF Board has, therefore, a social responsibility to ensure that CPF savings are protected. The CPF member may not be able to make full restitution to the CPF should HDB, for example, repossess the flat for infringement of rules since the HDB would use the value of the flat at the posted price prevailing at time of sale to determine the compensation payable to the owner. Sir, while this is technically correct, it is not convincing. Presently, those who buy private property can use their CPF savings up to 80% of the assessed market value of the property. CPF has first claim if the property is sold. What would happen if the market value of the private property drops at the time the owner sells? How would CPF recover the funds used? Take, for example, those who may have purchased private condominiums with CPF funds.”
“Education is a form of investment - an investment in human resources. Could the Minister inform this House whether the CPF Board has considered the following suggestions: (a) that parents be allowed to use their CPF savings to finance the education of their children, and (b) that workers be allowed to use their CPF savings to upgrade themselves, and meet family financial commitments while they undergo full-time training courses, and if the CPF Board has considered these suggestions, has it come to a decision? Sir, I need not repeat the arguments of those Members who spoke strongly for these proposals, since they are fully recorded in the proceedings of this House. However, let me add that since skills upgrading is so essential to the success of our economic restructuring, we must make it possible for those workers who wish to pursue higher studies to do so now. While the Minister is considering these suggestions once again, let me put to him another case. It is not a new proposal but merely an appeal to vary the rules pertaining to the use of CPF savings for the purchase of property. Sir, presently a person who buys an HDB flat directly from an existing owner can use his CPF savings to pay for the purchase. The amount that he can use, however, is limited by the current posted selling price of the HDB for the type of flat in question, and not by the freely negotiated market price. Sir, we all know that the prevailing free market price is always more than the HDB's selling price, very often more than double. This is a clear demonstration that HDB flats are good value for money, and that the HDB sells its flats to the public at subsidized rates. The purchaser of an HDB flat on the free market, therefore, faces a heavy financial obstacle.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, over the years, many constructive suggestions have been put forward by Members of Parliament sitting on this side of the House, i.e. PAP Members of Parliament. Invariably, the Hon. Ministers on the other side have either turned down the suggestions or merely taken note of them. Very often, we hear nothing more of the subject until it is once again raised in this House by my persistent colleagues. Some of us have seen their persistence paid off. For example, the hon. Member for Ayer Rajah recently obtained the agreement of the Hon. Minister of Defence and Second Minister for Health, to agree to an upward review of the allowance paid to National Servicemen during the sitting on 4th March 1983, after several Members had failed in the past. The moral to be learnt is that if we believe strongly in a particular cause, we must have the conviction to persist. Members of this House may have forgotten that on 22nd March last year, the hon. Member for Ayer Rajah again put up a case for CPF savings to be used on medical grounds, particularly for major surgical operations or prolonged specialized medical treatment. At that time, the Hon. Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour typically and predictably turned down the suggestion. However, this suggestion of using CPF savings for medical care apparently got through to the highest levels, and no less than the Prime Minister himself announced in August last year that Medisave would be funded by CPF contributions. Other suggestions have been put forward but without the same success. Since persistence pays, I wish to draw the attention of the Minister to these suggestions again. Sir, other hon. Members have eloquently argued the case for CPF savings to be used for education.”
“At the end of the two-year period, they are not allowed to renew their work permits and the small companies are unable to do anything about it. They have, therefore, no way to turn to. The Government has to look after these small companies and help them to solve their problem. Although the companies realize the need to reduce foreign workers, they are not able to recruit local labour. The Minister has a commendable Budget and I fully support it.”
“Although no government can govern without resorting to taxation, the public, nevertheless would have liked to have more tax concessions. They are unhappy to see a ceiling imposed on income tax relief and in the coming years they hope to see more concessions. Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to touch on the allocation of funds for Government departments and I wish to see certain changes. The nations of the world are increasing their defence expenditure. Even countries which advocate peace have been gradually increasing their defence expenditure. Ours is a very small nation. We have a need for modern equipment. At the same time, we have to improve the living conditions of our national servicemen. We have to increase their allowance so that they can enjoy a better life. More facilities should be made available to them, as this is the Government's duty. In order to achieve this, I hope that the allocation for the Defence Ministry will be increased. The reason is that national servicemen presently require a greater amount of allowances for themselves. Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to avail myself of this opportunity to speak on the Government's policy. There are some people who are out to smear the Government and the ruling Party regarding the policies adopted by certain officers in the Government departments. We must, therefore, adopt a cautious attitude as we have to keep the good name of our ruling Party and our Government. I only wish to speak on certain points as the other Members have elaborated on the other points at length. In the commercial sector very small firms have been experiencing difficulties with regard to the granting of work permits for foreign workers. Foreign workers are granted work permits for two years to work in these small firms.”
“Although this is on the macro-level, perhaps the Ministry can provide some enlightenment to our workers on the range and type of skills that will be in demand in the future. It is only then that our workers can prepare themselves for the future. The cost of training and retraining of workers is very high. For example, the estimated cost of providing basic education to the 300,000 workers who need it through the BEST programme is over $240 million. The cost of providing our workers with skills will be much higher. As such, I beg to differ with the hon. Member for Chong Boon and the hon. Member for Leng Kee and request the Hon. Minister for Trade and Industry not to reduce the Skills Development levy. It is quite natural that when there is over $300 million lying in the Fund, there will be calls to reduce or to end the contributions to the Skills Development Fund. We will be making a grave mistake if we accede to such calls. The task of providing our workers with higher skills and knowledge is an awesome one. We must be resolute and single-minded in this objective and ignore the cries of pain from the employers whether they be real or imaginary. I say imaginary because corporate profits have increased last year as amply provided in figures from the Income Tax Department. Sir, on that note, I support the motion. Mr M.K.A. Jabbar (Radin Mas)( In Tamil): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister for Trade and Industry has presented a Budget on which he has elaborated at length. I give my full support to it. In general, in this period of a world recession, we have to resort to expeditious measures to weather the depression in the world economy. Some tax concessions have been given in the Budget.”
“The BEST programme was initiated by the National Trades Union Congress and is now given full support by the Government. Providing a basic education for workers who lack the linguistic and numeracy skills is but one step in the whole process. Such workers must still be given opportunities to acquire skills. Presently, it is stated that those who pass the BEST course will qualify for VITB courses. We may therefore assume that places will be made available to them, and that there will be sufficient places. This presupposes that they are aware of the skills that will be in demand. I am not sure that they do, and see a need for a career guidance service to be provided for the participants of the BEST programme. Career guidance is equally important for existing workers who already possess the basic linguistic and numeracy skills. What are the specific new skills required? Are the courses open to them? Unless our workers are made aware of this, they will be at a loss as to how they are to upgrade their skills, when their employers do not make available to them retraining courses to meet the future needs of their enterprises. Let me illustrate with an example. We may infer from the Minister's statement that the financial and business services sector will be an area of growth. Indeed, job creation in this sector rose from 23,100 places in 1970 to 89,800 places in 1982, an increase of almost four times. The Minister has given incentives to stimulate further growth in the financial services sector. We can thus expect that more jobs in this sector will be created. What are the specific jobs and specific skills required? How will our existing workers be able to acquire these skills? Sir, the Ministry of Trade and Industry has the responsibility for manpower planning.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, ever since the Government actively promoted the new economic policy of restructuring to higher technology and knowledge intensive industries and services, we have constantly been telling our workers that they must upgrade their skills. By and large, our Singapore workers are receptive to this message. They see the need and the importance of acquiring better or new skills. They want to ensure themselves of continued employment in a restructured economy. They do not wish to lose out in this process. However, many of them are wondering what jobs would be in demand in the future and whether the education and the training that they have so far received would allow them to fit into the industries and services of the 1980s. Ample opportunities are being made available to school leavers by the expansion of places at the National University of Singapore, the Nanyang Technological Institute, the Singapore and Ngee Ann Polytechnics and the VITB. New entrants to the job market in the 1980s would therefore be adequately trained to enter the employment market of the restructured economy. However, training and retraining of existing workers have been left largely to their employers with assistance of grants from the Skills Development Fund. A number of employers have indeed been providing training and retraining for their workers. However, the larger number of existing workers have not been given opportunities of training or retraining. If we are to succeed in our economic restructuring process, we must take steps to ensure that the bulk of our existing workers acquire the skills to remain employable in the future. We have taken one major step, that is, the setting up of the BEST programme.”
“Assistance from Government has been provided through various incentives such as the Small Industries Finance Scheme, the Small Industries Technical Assistance Scheme and the Interest Grant for Mechanization provided by the Skills Development Fund. While these financial incentive schemes are available, many small industries in Singapore have not been able to take advantage of these schemes. This is not because of a lack of interest but more likely from a lack of knowledge. While the larger companies and the multi-nationals are able to obtain access to the latest technical knowledge of the industrialized countries, our small investors are not in the same position. It is essential therefore for Government, through the Economic Development Board, to help our local small investors to obtain access to technical knowledge. The Small Industries Technical Assistance Scheme, set up last year, is a step in the right direction. Its objective is to enable local supporting industries to acquire the technology necessary for developing a high degree of technical competence. How many local investors have taken advantage of this scheme? Why have the other small investors not taken advantage of the services of the scheme? Is it because they are unaware of it, or are the services provided inadequate? I am sure that there is now sufficient experience from the operation of this scheme for the Minister to inform this House of the progress, and the steps planned to make sure that more local investors will avail themselves of the services provided. The dissemination of information will play a key role in determining our success. The Government must intensify its efforts in this area.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the motion standing in the name of the Minister tor Trade and Industry. In his detailed and comprehensive statement on the financial policy of the Government for the next financial year, the Minister for Trade and Industry has signalled that there would be changes in our economic structure in view of the structural changes that are taking place in the industrialized countries. Firstly, while the manufacturing sector will continue to play an important role in the economy and provide a high percentage of jobs for our workers, the future growth of this sector will not be at the same pace as we have seen in the last 20 years. It is likely that the manufacturing industries in Singapore will shift to higher levels of skills and technology. With the adoption of mechanization, automation and robotization, job creation in this sector is unlikely to proceed at the same rate as in the past. On the other hand, it is likely that the services sector will provide us with the avenue of growth and job creation. We can therefore conclude that for the 1980's our economy will go through a stage of transition. Manufacturing will slowly cease to be the leading edge of the Singapore economy, while the services sector will assume the role of the prime mover of the economy. This change will have a significant impact on jobs and job creation. Our local investors and workers will have to be prepared for this change. Through the various measures taken by Government in the past few years, our local investors have become aware of the need to upgrade, or to invest in the new growth areas.”
“What recourse would a trade union have if its members agree to accept those rules in its constitution, but these rules are deemed to be oppressive or unreasonable by the Registrar of Trade Unions? Mr Speaker, Sir, pending a clarification from the Minister, I support the Bill.”
“There has been a reference to the deletion from the objects of the trade unions of the right to strike and, in particular, the promotion, organization and financing of strikes. This deletion is sensible. Trade unions exist not for promoting or organizing strikes. Their central objective, as I have mentioned earlier, is to preserve, protect and enhance the welfare of workers. A strike is a course of last resort, to seek redress for injustice and inequity. It is a means to an end, not an end in itself. Trade unions will always have this recourse. We have made no amendment to section 28 of the Trade Unions Act. Trade unions will always have this course of last resort against errant employers who may need to be reminded from time to time to abide by the ground rules. The deletion of this reference to strikes does not imply that our unions will lose the right to strike. It must not be so, and it is not so. In case there is still doubt, I am sure that the Hon. Minister will be only too glad to reaffirm in this House that the right to strike for trade unions remains sacrosanct. Given the record of the trade union movement in Singapore since independence, we can be confident that any resort to strike action will be taken responsibly. Finally, I would like to seek a clarification from the Minister with respect to the proposed additional paragraph, section 14 (c), in clause 4 (a) of the Bill, which refers to the rules of unions that may be oppressive or unreasonable. I agree that the interests of workers must be protected, and it is the duty of Government to ensure that their interests are indeed protected. However, what oppressive" or "unreasonable"?”
“It is a movement in empathy with the aspirations of the workers of Singapore. Now in the current tight labour market, the task of trade unions lies in improving the capacity of workers for more productive work. The immediate goal is to give them higher skills suited for higher value-added industries and services, with a higher propensity for higher wages. To this end, we must consolidate the existing healthy industrial relations climate that has been brought about by the willingness of trade unions to make sacrifices during the past two decades for the wider interests of the nation. We have ascended the mountain of achievement. We have made commendable progress. We aspire to climb yet higher. The higher we climb, the more difficult is the terrain, the more hazardous are the dangers, and the harsher are the elements. To scale the next plateau of achievement, there is no place for fractious stand-offs among fellow travellers. On the contrary, we must forge a closer understanding among the climbers. Each one must support the other. A false step by any one member of the team could prove disastrous. To pursue the path that we have taken, we need new ground rules. It is in this context that we should view the proposed amendments to the Trade Unions Act. Our trade union movement has consistently acted responsibly and objectively. It has already pre-empted the amendments to section 2 of the Trade Unions Act, in seeking to promote good industrial relations, to improve the working conditions of workmen, to enhance their economic and social status, and to promote higher productivity. The proposed amendments, therefore, seek to formalize in legislation what is being practised by our trade unions.”
“When the NTUC was born, it represented a minority of organized workers in Singapore. Its leaders, however, were men of vision, who saw the interests of the workers in the context of the wider interests of the nation. Our workers quickly saw that it was the NTUC that was more successful in delivering the economic goods. Against a back-drop of poverty and mass unemployment, our workers opted for responsible trade unionism. There was an overriding need to create new jobs for the jobless and for the thousands that were added each year to the pool. Trade union members and their leaders were conscious of the need to create an attractive investment climate, for local as well as foreign investors. Had our trade union leaders uncritically echoed the slogans of their Western counterparts, as the Member for Anson would have us do, like "the right to work" and "fundamental trade union rights", and resisted the enactment of the Employment Act and the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act of 1968, the economy of Singapore would have been dealt a crippling blow and we would not have the kind of life that we lead today. No investor, either foreign or local, would have been convinced or persuaded to put his stake on Singapore soil. Fortunately for us, our workers demonstrated exemplary discipline. Parliament passed the two Bills, thus ushering in a new era of orderly and peaceful industrial relations. Investments came, new jobs were created, and soon the spectre of unemployment was laid to rest. Because our workers put long-term national interests before short-term sectional interests, we have all prospered and gained. The history of the trade union movement, as embodied in the NTUC, has been a record of responsibility.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, my colleague, the Member for Moulmein, has appropriately defined the role of the trade unions in Singapore, and that role is to preserve, to protect and to enhance the welfare of Singapore workers. Throughout its history, organized labour in Singapore, in the form of the NTUC, has always been in tune with the aspirations of the workers; it has always been in the forefront when it came to preserving, protecting and enhancing the welfare of Singaporeans. The Member for Anson claims, in one breath, to be a champion of the workers in Singapore, but in another breath he condemns the NTUC for calling for a boycott. When a Communist union in Australia took protectionist steps against the interests of Singapore workers, the Member for Anson would have us sit idly by and allow ourselves to be trampled over. And he calls this protecting and championing the rights of Singapore workers. Let me briefly trace the record of the trade union movement in Singapore to put its role in perspective. When we became an independent nation, the role of the trade unions as a social economic force was transformed from the chaos preceding independence to that of building our own future, forging our own destiny, as co-owner of a new society and a new nation. At that time when we set about doing this task, it had first to battle the Communists and then the communalists. Our workers were not prepared to be placed under the repressive yoke of Communism or to allow chauvinists to tear our community apart and thus in the process prevent our people from achieving a better quality of life. In these struggles, the labour movement emerged triumphant together with the political leadership. That was when the NTUC was formed.”
“Sir, as the Minister of State rightly points out, the subsidy based on per head of pig would mean that the larger farmers would receive a larger quantum of subsidy to enable them to construct waste treatment plants. My question is, will the smaller farmers who will receive less subsidy have enough to afford the construction of these waste treatment plants?”
“Sir, as far as the bar code system is concerned, my understanding is that an international code will very soon come into practice. So I hope the Minister would have a second look at this matter. On that note I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $62,088,430 for Head W ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $494,106,000 for Head W ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates.”
“If there is a price change, then all that needs to be done is to change the price in the central record in the computer and the price label on the shelf. The adoption of bar codes in the retail trade therefore seems a logical step to take to promote higher productivity. The Ministry could help to give greater publicity to this system and to assist local entrepreneurs to implement this system. There is also a need for our manufacturers to be familiar with bar codes if they are to successfully export their products to developed countries. One local company has already commenced to use bar code labels on their soft drink packets. Others should be made aware of the use of bar codes. If the Ministry of Trade and Industry can actively promote labour saving systems, such as the one I have just described, it would accelerate the restructuring of local industries.”
“Could the Ministry, for example, organize study tours for the trade sector to see whether we can learn from the experiences of other countries? Perhaps the Ministry could commission a comprehensive study to find out the causes of low growth and to develop strategies for higher growth. The Ministry may want to consider providing a service to inform local entrepreneurs of technological developments that have been successfully adopted elsewhere. In this respect, I would like to make a suggestion in connection with departmental stores and supermarkets which have been criticized by one employer's association as employing staff just to be unproductive. The supermarkets, warehouses and retail outlets in Europe and the United States have adopted bar coding. This is a code using a series of lines of varying thickness printed on the labels of goods. I am sure that Members have seen this code printed on consumer goods that we import from the developed countries. This bar code allows an optical reading device, the laser scanner, attached to the cash register, to read the information on the bar code symbols. At the point of sale, the cash register which is linked to a central computer will then identify the product and the price, and charge the customer accordingly. Simultaneously, the supermarket stock level record is amended. When the stock level falls below a pre-determined level, the central computer will automatically issue instructions for replenishment. In effect, the cashier at the terminal is simultaneously checking out the goods, billing the customer and updating stock records. Furthermore, the adoption of bar codes will dispense with the laborious task of labelling each product with a price tag. All that needs to be done is to display the price label on the shelf.”
“During that period, there was a deliberate policy to keep wages low because we did not want to price Singapore products out of the world market. On the other hand, would it be fair to take the average of the last three years' wage increases to be the level of normal wage increases? Sir, the National Wages Council has commenced discussions on this year's wage increase. It is not my intention to dilute the role of the NWC. However, I feel that the terms "normal wage increase" and "productivity" are contentious terms because of misunderstanding. At the same time, wage and productivity trends are crucial factors influencing economic development. It is the function of the Ministry of Trade and Industry to analyse the implications of these trends. I would therefore request the Minister to enumerate the factors that must be taken into account in determining a wage increase, so that the parties to wage bargaining will be able to arrive at a fair wage increase for our workers without undermining our economic growth. It is also the function of the Ministry of Trade and Industry to promote industrial development. Several pace-setting steps have been taken by the Government including the computerization of the Civil Service and the setting up of the National Computer Board, to act as a catalyst for the widespread adoption of computer technology in all sectors of industries. At the same time the Ministry of Trade and Industry should closely monitor the productivity growth of each sector of industry. The Ministry should also determine the reasons for low productivity growth. The Economic Survey of Singapore 1981 commented that the productivity performance of the trade sector was dismal. What steps can the Ministry take to assist this sector?”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head W of the Main Estimates be reduced by $100*. Sir, the financial policy of the Government, as outlined by the Minister for Trade and Industry during the Budget statement, seeks to ensure that the economic restructuring that was commenced in 1979 would continue to make progress. Several deliberate policy measures have been taken since June 1979 to speed up the pace of restructuring throughout all sectors of the economy. One of the primary targets of the economic restructuring process is to improve the overall productivity of the workforce. The Government therefore launched a three-year wage correction policy - firstly, to drive home the point that labour is a precious resource to be used efficiently, and secondly, to bring wage levels to equilibrium level. The ,wage increases were implemented gradually over three years to allow employers to anticipate the full range of wage adjustment and to make their plans accordingly. According to the Economic Survey of Singapore 1981 published by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, there are already encouraging signs of industries responding well to the policy. According to statements made by the political leadership since the announcement of the NWC wage increases in June last year, it is expected that wage increases this year will come to normal levels and be closely related to productivity increases. This begs the question: what is a normal increase? Is "normal" to be taken to mean the average wage increases before 1979 or is the increase to be the average of the last three years? It would not be fair to our workers if we take "normal levels" to mean the average wage increases that we have experienced before 1979.”
“It is important therefore that the medical plan has adequate provisions for our senior citizens. I hope that the Minister for Health will reveal the details of the National Health Plan as soon as possible and that it will be finalized and adopted only after a public debate.”
“Another indicator of the poor health of the medical profession is the continued practice of most companies not to accept the medical certificates issued by doctors not from their appointed panel. Surely if there is no doubt about the professional ethics of doctors, all companies should recognize the medical certificate issued by any qualified doctor. I hope the medical profession would remedy this unsatisfactory situation. Sir, I will now turn to the National Health Plan that the Minister for Health has said is being prepared. Since his announcement of the preparation of such a plan which includes the raising of charges to be levied by Government clinics and hospitals, there has been a lot of anxiety among the public. Firstly, workers are concerned whether the higher charges would lead to the withdrawal of medical benefits that is presently provided to them by employers. Secondly, even if the employers continue to extend the same medical benefits and absorb the higher cost, most companies do not extend their coverage to include spouses and children of employees. A rise in medical charges will therefore adversely affect the lower income group. Does the health plan take this into account and does it have provisions to alleviate hardship? 5.30 p.m. Thirdly, there is a grave concern among the retired and older members of the public. It is inevitable that with age the human system tends to break down more often. If the medical costs are to go up, the older members of our society may have to forgo medical attention unless they find some means to pay for the additional cost. For pensioners it may mean that the increase in pensions announced recently by the Minister for Trade and Industry would be absorbed by the increase in medical cost.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, last Sunday, the local newspapers reported that the Singapore Medical Association would be discussing the setting up of a standard schedule of rates. This has been long awaited by the public. It is difficult to explain the different charges by different practitioners unless the medical profession admits that there is indeed a disparity in professional competence. I hope that the coming discussion by the Singapore Medical Association will not again end inconclusively. It appears that the subject has been discussed for at least 10 years. Therefore, I hope the coming discussions will not be yet another round of hot air. The medical profession owes it to themselves to remedy the unfavourable image that they have conveyed to the public. Recently there were at least two outraged residents who complained in letters to the press of doctors who refused assistance to people in urgent need of medical attention. This would make hypocrites of those who subscribe to the Oath of Hippocrates. The medical profession must be concerned that there is an impression that specialists are charging exorbitant prices. There are also signs that commercialization has now taken precedence over concern for the health of fellow citizens in the order of priority of the members of the medical profession. Some patients get the impression that they are asked to see the specialist more often than is necessary in order that the specialist may charge more consultation fees. Furthermore, they complain that when they do see the specialist, the attention they get is cursory, that it is doubtful that the specialist has been able to make an accurate assessment.”
“Sir, I regret that we do not have more time to debate this very interesting issue. But I would just like to make a comment for the benefit of the Member for Anson. He does not appear to have been listening very carefully during the proceedings of this House. He has claimed that the rights of the workers have been eroded.”
“However, the individual employee is in a much weaker position compared with the employer. When the employee leaves the service of the company, it is not a serious problem for the employer as he can always engage another worker to replace him. They have the human and financial resources to easily overcome this setback. 4.00 p.m. However, if the employer terminates the service of the employee, it would be a very serious affair for the employee concerned as his livelihood would be adversely affected, especially if he is also the sole breadwinner. It is with this social and economic consideration that greater care should be given by the Minister to employees whose services are terminated by the employers without valid ground. If an employee's service is terminated because of misconduct, redundancy or retrenchment, these cases are already covered by other provisions in the laws. I am more concerned with cases where an employee's service is terminated without valid reasons. For such cases, I would like to suggest to the Hon. Minister for Labour to carefully examine the appeal cases to ensure that the employers do not abuse their prerogative and that the interests of the workers are safeguarded. Further, I would like to suggest that if a termination case is made without valid reasons, the employee should be accorded compensation no less favourable than retrenchment cases. I think it is time that we looked into this area to see whether we could protect the interests of workers by instituting legislation. Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam (Anson): Sir, in view of questions that have been asked of me, I suppose I should tell you that I am at the moment acting in cases of wrongful dismissal by employers. I take it that that would not preclude me from moving this amendment.”
“In Western Germany, anybody who works for somebody else and earns a salary is defined as an employee and he has a right to join a trade union. In fact, the person can remain a member of the trade union even if he holds a managerial position. A classic example of a person remaining in a trade union is that of the Chief of Police. The Chief of Police was a union member and a union official until the day he was appointed the Chief of Police and he had to step down because of conflict of interest. I think for us to achieve this kind of identification with workers would take some time. But the first step that we can take is to redefine the employee so that the composition of trade union members can include at least the lower management level. It is when employees in a company are able to identify themselves as colleagues that we will succeed in fostering teamwork. I hope the Minister will seriously consider taking steps to redefine the scope of trade union membership. My next suggestion is to ask the Ministry to look into the problems arising from termination of contract of service. Sir, under the existing legislation, i.e. the Employment Act and the Industrial Relations Act, workers who are dismissed or whose services are terminated by their employers other than on grounds of retrenchment are allowed to appeal to the Minister for Labour for reinstatement. Although such rights are given under the law, some unscrupulous employers could take advantage of the provisions in the laws by terminating the service of the employee without valid reason. As far as termination of contract of service is concerned, theoretically speaking, both parties are free to do so if they wish to terminate such contract.”
“While the Ministry is looking into this area, they should also take the opportunity to redefine correctly the objects of a trade union, which is to protect and enhance the welfare of employees. In connection with this, another object of the trade union should be the promotion of team work and better industrial relations within the enterprise. Secondly, our labour legislation defines an employee as a person who works under a contract of service and if he is not a manager or an executive or doing confidential work. By and large, the practice in Singapore is that so long as a person is holding managerial or executive post or doing confidential work, that person is debarred from joining a trade union. Sir, an industrial enterprise comprises of three elements: employees who put in the work; capital owners who provide the machinery, equipment and so on; and management whose function is to combine labour and capital to a productive and profitable unit. We may therefore define an employee as one who works for another for a salary. The employees of a company include both the management as well as the workers. Each employee has a function in the company and this function is dependent on his position in the company. As such, every person employed in the company is an employee. The present definition of bargainable employees who are eligible to join trade union is therefore unnecessarily restrictive. I am afraid that the definition results in the polarisation of perceived roles in the company encouraging the "them" and "us" attitude. If we are to foster teamwork in the enterprise, it is necessary for us to blur this distinction. This idea is not a new one.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head R of the Main Estimates be reduced by $100.* Yesterday in this House, the Hon. Minister in reply to the Member for West Coast stated that the Ministry of Labour is currently examining existing labour legislations with a view to making amendments to reflect the current situation in Singapore. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight some of the areas which the Ministry could look into. First, the Trade Unions Act presently defines a trade union as an organization. which has one or more of the following objects: '(a) the regulation of relations between workmen and employers, or between workmen and workmen or between employers and employers; or (b) the imposing of restrictive conditions on the conduct of any trade or business; or (c) the representation of either workmen or employers in trade disputes; or (d) the promotion or organization or financing of strikes or lock-outs in any trade or industry or the provision of pay or other benefits for its members during a strike or lock-out.' Sir, I think it is time that we examined these objects. Take the last one, for example. The right to strike is the ultimate right of workers to seek redress of any industrial dispute. However, the promotion or organization of strikes cannot be the sole objective of a trade union. It is inconceivable that a trade union is formed purely for the promotion or organization of strikes. A strike is a means to an end and not an object to be pursued for its own sake. Therefore, this section of the Trade Unions Act would require amendment.”
“Sir, since the Parliamentary Secretary has indicated that he would like to continue with the debate outside this House, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, I am in complete agreement with the Parliamentary Secretary (Labour) that early detection is preferred. However, in the case of silicosis and asbestosis, it does sometimes take a long time before the disease develops. For example, if a worker has been working in a granite quarry for five to ten years, it may well be that after another five years the symptoms of silicosis would arise. So these X-rays may not detect the disease early enough for the worker to claim compensation. Furthermore, as far as exposure to asbestos is concerned, there is the risk of contracting the various cancers which I mentioned yesterday. These cancers take a long time to develop. So under the present Workmen's Compensation Act, those unfortunate workers who develop these diseases after the expiry of 36 months will have no recourse for compensation. So I would urge the Parliamentary Secretary to look more seriously into this matter, as he has indicated that he would. The Parliamentary Secretary also mentioned that the assessment of compensation depends on medical opinion. The present method of assessment is based on an award given by a medical practitioner. Is this fair and equitable? Would not a panel of medical practitioners be preferred so that a fair assessment can be made?”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head R be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead RD-02 Object Group 1210 of the Main Estimates*. Sir, the Workmen's Compensation Act presently provides that an employee can claim compensation from his employer should he suffer from silicosis or asbestosis provided he makes his claim during the currency of employment or within 36 months of leaving employment. Whereas silicosis will generally occur within the time span of 36 months, the case of exposure to asbestos is not so clear-cut. Usually the disease may take five to 10 years to surface. In 1978, the US National Cancer Institute revealed that asbestos is a carcinogenic agent. The results show that 20-25% of workers heavily exposed to asbestos die of lung cancer; 7-10% die of pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma; and 8-10% die of gastrointestinal cancer. Sir, the British experience indicates that over 50% of asbestosis patients die of lung cancer. A worker who is exposed to asbestos may not suffer from cancer until many years have elapsed. At times, the symptoms may only surface as long as 20 years after exposure. In Singapore, 10 cases of asbestosis have been confirmed so far. But I am fearful that with the short period of our industrialization, there may be more cases that have not yet been discovered. From this, it is evident that the present 36 months' ruling is grossly inadequate. Could the Minister review the situation and consider an amendment to the Workmen's Compensation Act? Sir, I beg to move.”
“Sir, I believe the person concerned was not a union member and he was not advised by a union. Had he been advised by a union, I think the result would have been more satisfactory. On that note, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, I would like to ask the Minister this question in regard to the case of the person who was dismissed purely for having the same name as his manager. Could the Minister inform us whether he was a union member?”
“Sir, no one disputes the correctness of fostering good work attitudes among employees. But I think it is equally important that we foster the right employers' attitudes towards workers. If employers have the right attitudes, I am sure workers will respond with good work attitudes, leading to higher productivity. Sir, in the course of their work, the conciliation officers of the Ministry of Labour are called upon to assist in the settlement of retrenchment benefits. Several Members have already mentioned that in the process of economic restructuring there will be workers retrenched because of redundancy or skills obsolescence. In such cases the amount of retrenchment benefits is very important to the workers affected. In most cases the workers are likely to be handicapped by educational qualifications and age. They may not be able to find another job with the same level of pay. They may also wish to pursue courses of study to make themselves employable once again. Since the company is in a position to pay, I hope the Ministry's officials could take this into consideration in order to assist the poor workers who are retrenched. Sir, in the execution of their duties the officers of the Ministry of Labour can greatly influence industrial peace in our country. I brought this point up for the Minister to consider requesting his officers, firstly, to be more forceful in the implementation of their decision, and secondly, to take into account the plight of the unfortunate workers who may be retrenched.”
“When the Ministry administers justice with firmness, the repeated references to the Ministry of disputes between the same parties will decline, thus contributing to better industrial relations. Then, in the handling of new types of cases, when either party is unreasonable, the Ministry should summarily take the offending party to task. Recently a case of dismissal of an employee received publicity in the press. From the reports, it would seem that the employee was dismissed simply because he has the same name as his manager. Sir, if ever we can describe a reason given as bizarre, this is it. One has only to scan through the telephone directory to know that certain names are common. For example, there are no less than 91 Tan Kim Seng's listed in the directory. It is inevitable that occasionally there would be two persons of the same name in a company. In the case reported, the company apparently decided to employ him even though they were aware of his name. From what we understand, he was dismissed for no apparent misdemeanour at all. The settlement was therefore a disappointment. All that the employee got was $200. I am afraid that some employers may get the impression that they can abuse the right to hire and fire and get away with it lightly. The employee should have been reinstated. It is essential that we establish the principle that workers will be protected in tenure of service, and cannot be dismissed for such bizarre reasons. I wish to add that recently one of the unions experienced a similar case. It was not necessary in this case to refer to the Ministry because we were able to point out to the employer how ridiculous it was, and he had the dignity to offer a written apology.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head R be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead RC-02 Object Group 1210 of the Main Estimates. The Ministry of Labour, in pursuit of sound and harmonious industrial relations, offers to employers and employees a preventive mediation and conciliation service. This service has been found to be very useful to both employers, unions and employees, and has contributed in no small way to the maintenance of industrial peace. In the pursuit of excellence, even the good service provided by the Ministry of Labour can be improved upon. It is with this in mind that I wish to draw the attention of the Minister to the following points. Normally, before a matter in dispute is referred to the Ministry for mediation and conciliation, both employers and unions have already discussed at great length and remained deadlocked at the end of it. A delay in settlement can create an atmosphere of mistrust leading to a deterioration of industrial relations. It is essential, therefore, that when a dispute is referred to the Ministry, it be settled as quickly as possible to prevent it from becoming a generator of ill-will. I am sure that on a number of occasions, the Ministry of Labour has experienced delays in settlement because of the feet-dragging tactics of either employers or ,unions. The usual excuses are the unavailability of key personnel owing to unexpected developments, or the pleading for more time for internal discus- sions. Over the years, the Ministry should know who the usual culprits are. In such instances, the officers of the Ministry should take a firm stand to bring the culprits in line.”
“To ask the Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour why it is necessary to conduct surprise raids at construction worksites in order to enforce safety legislation and whether such raids have resulted in a significant improvement of safety measures at construction worksites. Mr Speaker: Mr Lim Boon Heng.”
“Sir, the Minister has given us a very clear answer as to the need for R2 system so that Members of Parliament would now be in a better position to explain to residents of the necessity for construction of these systems. Therefore, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am most thankful to the Minister for his elaborate reply to my rather brief remarks. However, before I withdraw the amendment, I would like to ask the Minister to explain to this House what steps the Ministry is taking to assist those people who have to instal the R2 sewerage system? If the families are unable to bear the expense of constructing the R2 system, will the Ministry provide financial assistance?”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head M be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead MA-01 Object Group 1100 of the Main Estimates. Sir, in order to allow the Minister adequate time to give a reply, I will make my comments very brief. Earlier on this afternoon, the Member for Punggol raised a question concerning air pollution. Concern for a cleaner environment is most appropriate, particularly when we live in a small country. We should also be concerned with the marine environment. I am sure many of the older Members of this House would recall that many years ago they could enjoy catching prawns and fishes in the Singapore and Kallang Rivers. Over the years, because of discharge of pollutants into the marine environment, these prawns and fishes have disappeared. However, owing to the efforts of the Ministry of the Environment there have been press reports recently that our citizens can now enjoy catching prawns and fishes in the Singapore and Kallang Rivers. I must congratulate the Ministry for bringing about these achievements. Sir, I would like to request the Minister to explain to us how this has been achieved and what steps the Ministry will continue to take to ensure that future generations of Singaporeans will enjoy uncontaminated fishes and prawns from our tidal rivers.”
“But the policies that we have in the past would stand us in good stead. All we need is to make sure that the three basic ingredients that we have put into the enlarged economic cake will continue to be in ample supply. First, the ability of our Government leaders to read danger signs and prepare ourselves accordingly: Second, our people should continue to place their trust and confidence in the Government, something which they have done in the last 17 years, and to respond by puffing their shoulders to the wheel, to work hard and to improve their work attitude. And more important, the third ingredient, to be ready to accept short-term sacrifices in return for long-term gains for themselves and for their children. With these ingredients there is no question that our economic cake will get bigger and bigger and then all citizens will be able to take a bigger share in the fruits of their labour. I would like to join all the PAP colleagues in giving my full support to the Minister for Trade and Industry for presenting his annual financial policy for the coming year. 6.08 p.m.”
“This has been backed up by an equally enthusiastic response from our people who have placed their trust and confidence in the Government in the hope that with the long-term policies that have been suggested for implementation, if they are a little more patient, in the end all Singaporeans will benefit. This trust and confidence in the PAP Government has been more than reciprocated by the PAP Government, as evidenced by the return of the PAP Government to Parliament ever since independence. Much more important also is the fact that both Government and the people are prepared to face difficult problems, unpleasant at times, painful at times, and that both Government and the people are flexible enough to change with the world-changing circumstances. The lessons of the last 15 years have taught us that never should we assume that economic prosperity and, in its wake, social progress comes by accident, like "manna from heaven", as the Bible says, free for the asking. We should all bear in mind that the economic success and social advancement in Singapore has been brought about by deliberate, painstaking efforts in planning, in keeping people informed and in putting confidence in them in their ability to perform. It is a total sum game in which the Government and the people together determine for themselves the destiny that they hope one day they and their children will enjoy. The future economic prospects in the 1980's, apart from those painted by the Minister in his Budget Statement, are all too plain for us to see. Those of us who read international newspapers will know that the world is on the brink of a severe recession and the situation is likely to deteriorate. Singapore, as usual, is not sheltered from this.”
“The workers, as a consequence, have responded in full measure to the Government's policies, especially in the last three years when all of us had to go through a difficult period of adjustment in keeping with the wage correction policy outlined by the Minister in his Statement, It has also generated a full tripartite coordination amongst Government, employers and our workers, supported by the unions. The question arises as to what would have happened if these policies had not been effected or that the ingredients were not present to ensure the success of these policies. The Singapore economy would have swung like a yo-yo together with the world. If the world recesses, we would also recess. If the world booms, we will boom together with the inflation. The long-term effect is that we will be priced out of the international market because of our limited labour supply and low skilled products with which we cannot fully compete with our neighbouring countries where human resources are more abundant. If our economic growth cannot be sustained, the economic cake will shrink and we will no longer be in the happy situation of talking about providing 4- or 5-room flats for our citizens. We would be hard pressed to build one-room flats. We can forget about social programmes on which so many Members of the House have been talking about. In short, we would have been in dire circumstances indeed. In the event, Singapore succeeded because the Government has been able to adopt a far-sighted perspective or the prospects for Singapore, especially in being able to read danger signals way ahead of time.”
“It created job opportunities for us, for all Singaporeans, and most important, to minimize retrenchment in different sectors affected at various times, as jobs which became surplus in these sectors were absorbed by those which were having boom conditions. Economic diversification has contributed to overall improvement in the growth of our Gross Domestic Product and therefore increasing the size of our economic cake. It is a matter of maximizing our growth potentials and not only to either grow at the specific rate or to grow at a high rate. Secondly, throughout the years, in response to world changes, the Government has also actively pursued a policy of economic upgrading and in the last several years a restructuring of the economic base. We have begun to swing away from labour-intensive to capital-intensive industries, from low skills to high technology industries. This economic transformation, including upgrading and restructuring, will get us away from protectionism in precisely those industries that we have been carrying in the 60's and 70's. It enables us to open new and more stable markets for our high technology products which make fuller use of the skills of our people. Most important, it makes the best use of our limited labour supply by providing employment which will optimize individual skills and upgrade their potentials in order to enjoy a higher income. Thirdly, and this is an invisible process as opposed to economic diversification and economic upgrading, is the Government's relentless pursuit to inculcate a proper work attitude and the need for high productivity amongst our workforce to support the major economic strategies necessary because of the structural changes not only in Singapore but, more important, in the industrial world.”