Sia Kah Hui
Singapore
“Mr Speaker, Sir, a supplementary question. Is the Minister not aware that times have changed and continue to change? There are already so many complaints from flat buyers against the sub-contractors. I have here just two samples, one from the Singapore Monitor and the other from the Straits Times.”
“To ask the Minister for National Development if he will justify the increase by the Housing and Development Board from $3 p.m. rent to $785 p.m.”
“Not a copy of the letter which your Parliamentary Secretary has sent because, as I have read earlier on, this letter is not clear. Because it says, "to discharge your (the developer's) obligation to clear the temple." The developer says, "Here you are. This clearly says so.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, does the Minister know that after I have written to the developer who had in writing assured the temple people that he would build them a new temple at the developer's expense, his reply to me was that Government had taken over his obligation.”
“Sir, I am not the one who is not clear and I am not the one who is involved in this. It just happened that the developer takes your letter to mean that you are freeing him from his obligation.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, may I ask the Minister what difficulty is there that he does not want to clear this up? It is not with me. I understand, but the developer does not. He sends the letter from the Government to the temple saying, "Here you are, you see, I paid this money and there is a receipt. I am free from my obligation.”
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“Mr Speaker, Sir, in that case a fresh application will have to be made, because the original work permit only allows the person to be employed as a factory operator. If he wants to work as a clerk, it is a different job entirely.”
“The other, contained in clause 6 of the Bill, seeks to introduce a new section empowering the Commissioner for Employment to compound any offence committed under the Act by accepting from the person reasonably suspected of committing an offence a sum not exceeding $100. The intention is to expedite the meting out of penalties to those who have infringed the law as well as eliminate the time-consuming process involved in preparing for prosecution in court especially in cases of minor offences. Sir, I beg to move. Question proposed.”
“The employment of foreigners in these occupations has social and economic ramifications. The Ministry has found it necessary at times to regulate administratively foreigners taking up certain self-employed occupations. To enable the Ministry to have the power to bring such persons within the Regulation of Employment Act, clause 3 of the Bill seeks to amend section 8 to empower the Minister from time to time by Gazette notification to prohibit any non-citizen from engaging in any trade, occupation or other activity carried on for the purposes of gain unless he has obtained a work permit for that purpose. The Work Permits Office has also found that some employers and employees has connived to furnish false information with a view to seeking approval for their applications for work permits. False details, for example, have been provided on types of job and experience and qualification of the applicants. The giving of such false information is not an offence under the present Act. This practice must be discouraged to enable us to have better control of the recruitment of foreign workers for work in Singapore. Clause 5 therefore seeks to amend section 14 of the Act to make it an offence for any person, whether employer or employee, to make a false statement in the application for a work permit. Sir, the Ministry has also taken the opportunity to introduce two administrative measures to improve the operation of the Act. The first, contained in clause 4 of the Bill, seeks to amend section 11 of the Act to provide for the levy of a fee of $5 for the replacement of a lost, destroyed or defaced work permit. This will encourage proper custody of work permit cards.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Hon. Members are no doubt aware that the Regulation of Employment Act was enacted in 1966 to regulate the employment of foreign workers in the Republic. The objective was to control the flow of such workers into our country to ensure that their employment contributes to the social and economic development of our society. Under the Act, foreign workers, principally those from Malaysia whose monthly salaries are not more than $750, are required to apply for a work permit before they start work. The Work Permits Office has discovered certain inadequacies in the Act in nearly 10 years of its operation. This Bill seeks to amend certain provisions of the Act with a view to overcoming these shortcomings. The Ministry has discovered that some work permit holders are working in occupations other than those specified in their respective work permits. The Work Permits Office has, for example, found work permit holders working as clerks when the permit has been issued to them to work as factory operators. Legally this is not an offence as section 8 of the present Act prohibits the employment of an employee or contract worker only if he does not have a work permit. This inadequacy in the Act reduces the effectiveness of our control of foreign workers in the Republic. Clause 2 of the Bill therefore seeks to amend section 8 of the present Act to prohibit any employer from engaging any person who has been issued with a work permit in any capacity other than in accordance with the conditions contained in the work permit. Sir, the Regulation of Employment Act, as it now stands, does not cover self-employed occupations like insurance agents, canvassers, salesmen, commission agents and others.”
“To recapitulate, the new Bill aims mainly to remove the time-consuming procedures for claims laid down in the 1971 Act and replace it with a new and effective procedure of administration and enforcement. Under the new Bill there is now expeditious and adequate payment of compensation. The long delays caused by the need to ascertain the dependency status of the victim, the need for the parties to sign a memorandum of agreement and to wait for a period of seven days for the registration of an agreement and common delays associated with the insurance companies are eliminated. In addition, the quantum of compensation has been increased and the range of compensable industrial diseases extended. A Workers' Fund is also incorporated in the new Bill which aims inter alia to finance rehabilitation schemes for injured workers. This is not a legislation intended to prevent accidents or to offer remedies to the problems of safety and health regulations but an attempt to strike a reasonable balance between the needs of the victims and their families and what industry can bear. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Third time and passed. ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP BILL Order for Second Reading read. 5.53 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Third time." The Workmen's Compensation Bill was committed to a Select Committee on 26th March this year. The Select Committee received four written representations. It decided to amend clause 8 (1) (a) of the Bill to take into consideration the payment of the annual wage supplement or bonus made outside the six months' period when computing the average monthly earnings of a workman. This will ensure that the workman whose annual wage supplement or bonus was paid earlier than six months immediately preceding the accident would not lose out in the computation of his compensation. It also decided to amend clause 8 (1) (b) of the Bill which `provides that in the case of a workman who was employed at the time of the accident for less than six months his average monthly earnings will be computed on the basis of the six average monthly earnings of a co-worker who has been doing similar work for the same employer for a continued period of not less than six months. The Ministry of Labour has experienced difficulties in finding such a co-worker. It is felt that for those workmen who had worked for a period of one to less than 12 months immediately prior to the accident the monthly earnings should be the average of the earnings during that period, and for those who had worked for less than one month immediately prior to the accident their monthly earnings should be calculated on the basis of the earnings they would have received for that month if the accident had not happened. These have now been incorporated in the amended clause 8 (1) (a) and (b) respectively. Except for the abovementioned amendments, the Bill in its present form is very much the same as it was originally before the House.”
“Sir, I think the Minister for Labour has earlier on touched on this question of retrenchment. We do not feel that it is necessary to do more than what is being done at this moment, because we do not want to rush into something which is not really necessary. As I have said, we are expecting the situation to improve as the days go by.”
“Sir, it is precisely for the reasons enumerated by the Member for Toa Payoh that we do not consider it necessary at present to invoke section 111 (b). As mentioned by the Minister for Labour earlier on, the unemployment rate stands at 4.5% in February this year. The monthly retrenchment rate has declined from an average of 2,927 workers in the last five months of 1974 to an average of 1,476 in the first two months of this year. Major industrial countries are expected to experience an economic up, turn in the second half of this year. We are expected to feel the beneficial effects in the latter part of this year or early next year. So the Ministry is, therefore, continuing with the present system of generally allowing employees and employers to choose their own methods of looking for jobs or workers.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I think we have just heard a very succinct account by the Member for Potong Pasir of the causes or the ingredients that can lead to asbestosis. From what I am going to say I think he can be rest assured that asbestosis is not on the increase at this stage of our industrial development. Hon. Members will recall that since asbestosis was first listed as a notifiable industrial disease under the Sixth Schedule to the Factories Act, 1973, only two cases of asbestosis were notified and confirmed. Two other suspected cases are being followed up. More recently, from November 1974 to February this year, a medical survey was conducted in the shipyards. Out of a sample examination of 216 workers exposed to asbestosis hazards, only one person was suspected to have asbestosis. From the medical evidence so far available, it can be safely stated that the incidence of asbestosis in Singapore is low. However, this may be due to the fact that asbestosis, like silicosis, requires a fairly long period of exposure, say five to ten years before definite medical evidence appears. The Ministry has taken a number of tests to prevent the occurrence of such a disease. Factories known to have a risk of asbestosis are required to adopt environmental control and medical surveillance measures. In the case of factories with a dust hazard, they are required to introduce dust control measures. All workers exposed to dust are required to have an annual X-ray. Proper respirators must be supplied and worn by workers during their work. Checks made by the Ministry revealed that the working environment has improved greatly.”
“The Seamen's Welfare Officer works in close liaison with Foreign Ministry officials to assist Singapore seamen in distress while in foreign countries. If need be, he also refers seamen to the Legal Aid Bureau or the Social Welfare Department for assistance. I agree with the Member that the nomenclature used for the Seamen's Industrial Relations Section tends to be misleading, and is often confused with the functions of the Industrial Relations Section of the Ministry of Labour. It is proposed that a review be made on the role and functions of the Seamen's Industrial Relations Section and also its possible transfer to the National Maritime Board. Perhaps that would sufficiently answer the Member's question.”
“Sir, the Member for Bras Basal: may recall that prior to 1960 there were two posts, a Seamen's Welfare Officer of an Executive Officer grade and a Seamen's Industrial Relations Officer of the same grade, under the charge of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. In January 1960, the two posts were amalgamated and upgraded to HEO (Seamen's Welfare). This post was subsequently transferred to the Ministry of Labour in 1961, and it has since appeared in the Estimates of the Ministry under the Seamen's Industrial Relations Section. This Section deals with matters relating to the welfare of seamen including resolving disputes between them and their employers. Because of the different and multifarious nature of the sea career, employment of Singapore seamen is not governed by the Employment Act. They are recruited through the National Maritime Board and are bound by the individual contracts of service made between them and the shipping companies or their agents. In addition, Singapore seamen engaged on Singapore-registered vessels are also partly governed by the Merchant Shipping Act which contains the provision for the adjudication of disputes by the Shipping Master. Whenever there is a complaint of a breach of contract or an internal dispute, the Seamen's Welfare Officer is called upon to effect a settlement, and this is often done in association with the National Maritime Board and the Mercantile Marine Office. Apart from this, he assists seamen in their claim against their employers for wages and other benefits due to them. A seaman in doubt can also seek his advice on interpretation and clarification of specific terms and conditions of their contract with the ship owners.”
“Sir, the Member for Anson may recall that in 1971 this House approved amendments to the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance, 1955. One of the major amendments was the provision that required every employer to compulsorily take out an insurance policy to cover all his workers. The penalty for failure to insure is a fine not exceeding $4,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or both fine and imprisonment. The new Workmen's Compensation Bill already presented in Parliament retains this provision for compulsory insurance. The Member may be interested to know that only two accident cases of failure of employers to insure their workers were reported to the Ministry in 1974, and both were fatal cases. One of the employers, who is a small-time sub-contractor, has agreed to pay by instalments the compensation amounting to $14,976. The other employer has disputed liability and the case has been referred to arbitration. The Ministry is looking into the question of prosecution of these two employers.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I fully agree that we should keep the Factory Inspectors in their jobs and increase their efficiency. At the moment, we have something worked out for them, i.e, the day-release for training at the Polytechnic and even in the University of Singapore for technical officers and technicians of the Inspectorate. I hope that with the extra training open to them they would be more contented with their jobs and stay with us. We all realise that there is a demand for certain categories of workers, and I think we cannot rule out the fact that everyone would want to try and get a better post at any time.”
“Sir, what I said about the IHU was an additional post of Staff Nurse. That is all.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am sure we would also consider the point raised by the Member for Jalan Kayu. As to the Member for Moulmein, I would like to thank him and the other Members for their support. He is quite right that I had indicated earlier on that we had asked for 25 professional and field posts but unfortunately we were not able to get all of them. As for the increase in staff for the Workmen's Compensation Section, I have already said that this Section has been very much understaffed for several years and there was a tremendous number of backlog of cases not settled. So it was imperative that we have more bodies to clear up all the claims. It is true that it is better to prevent accidents from happening rather than to pay out compensations later. But once accidents occur, we would like to see the victims' families get compensation as quickly as possible. 4.15 p.m.”
“Sir, I am sure we will look into that too.”
“128 occupiers and nine employees who, despite advice and warnings from the Ministry, continued to flout the safety laws were successfully prosecuted in the law courts. They were fined a total of $84,990. I can see that there is still room for improvement in the field of enforcement. The Factory Inspectorate and the Industrial Health Unit of the Ministry, with additional posts approved for the next financial year, would definitely make every effort in this direction. However, I wish to state that strict enforcement of the safety laws is not the be-all and end-all of accident prevention. In recognition of this fact, my Ministry has in the last two years channelled considerable time and energy to promotional and educational activities in accident prevention. The Member for Potong Pasir mentioned about section 62, (Part VII) of the Factories Act. It is true that this particular section has not yet been invoked. But I can assure him that it will be invoked soon. We intend to introduce the Factories (Abrasive Blasting) Regulations in due course under this section to control sand-blasting operations in view of the high risk to workers contracting silicosis.”
“My Ministry is aware of this problem, and field officers are constantly reminded that they should be polite, courteous and exercise impartiality in the enforcement of factory laws. However, if the Member for Anson has any specific complaints against any particular officer, appropriate action will be taken against the officer if the complaints are substantiated. I could not agree more with the Member for Jalan Kayu that prevention is better than cure. The last increase in the staff of the Workmen's Compensation Section - at least he seems to imply - indicates a corresponding increase in industrial accidents. Although, as I have said earlier, there was a marginal increase of 0.6 per cent in the number of industrial accidents, the Member's inference is not correct, as the increase in staff was to effect a smoother function of the Workmen's Compensation Section which was then very much understaffed. As a result of the increase in staff, the time taken to settle workmen's compensation claims has been considerably reduced. Moreover, not all accidents resulting in workmen's compensation can be classified as accidents under the Factories Act. Workmen's compensation is payable whenever a workman suffers an injury or death by accident arising out of and in the course of his employment. It does not matter whether or not he is working in an establishment which comes under the definition of "factory" in the Factories Act. I would like to draw his attention to the fact that the Factory Inspectorate made a total of 9,995 inspections last year. As a result of these inspections, 1,689 items of non-compliance of the provisions of the Factories Act were spotted and referred to the occupiers of factories for compliance.”
“These Factory Inspectors enforce the Factories Act, make periodic visits to factories to advise both the management and the workers on the safe and proper procedure to handle mechanical equipment as well as pointing out unsafe acts and unsafe conditions of the work. They also advise workers and employers on matters relating to industrial health and hygiene. In addition, the Factory Inspectors also ensure that all lifting equipment and pressure vessels are tested to the requisite standard. It is, therefore, clear that the duties of the Factory Inspectors are primarily aimed at ensuring a safe and healthy working environment in the interests of the workers. Recalcitrant employers and selfish workers who have no regard for the safety of their colleagues have been prosecuted and fined in the law court. Besides enforcement, the Factory Inspectors also engage in promotional and educational activities, for instance, contributing to the Ministry's publication, "The New Worker" or compiling the booklet, "Dos and Don'ts" for workers in the building and construction industry, and organising safety campaigns. As regards the complaint that the Factory Inspectors are biased and rude, I wish to stress that the task facing them is, to say the least, onerous and unenviable. They are certainly not popular with all the factory occupiers because in order to carry out their duties efficiently and conscientiously they have to impose legal obligations on the factory occupiers. These legal obligations can be very costly in terms of time and money to the factory occupiers. Under the circumstances, it is understandable that complaints have been made against the Factory Inspectors.”
“Further, a `Guide to Safety, Health and Welfare in Factories' will be issued in about two months' time. We have also an industrial and health safety expert from the UNDP ILO. He has been with us for over a year now. He advises on all aspects of industrial health and safety and is personally conducting training courses for Factory Inspectors as well as safety officers from the construction industry. The response to the first course for the safety officers from the construction industry was very encouraging. Twenty-six of them completed the course. It is clear, therefore, that my Ministry does not let up in its efforts to reduce the incidence of industrial accidents in the country. We will continue to deal severely with those selfish employers and workers who have no regard for the safety and well-being of others. As to the staffing position of the Factory Inspectorate, I would like to thank the Member for Sembawang for his support. As Members can see, we are very conscious of the need to recruit more personnel to cope with the extremely diversified, complex and arduous tasks facing the Factory Inspectorate and the Industrial Health Unit of the Ministry. A total of 25 professional and field posts were requested for, of which only three posts were approved. On further appeal, the Ministry of Finance agreed to add an additional post of staff nurse to be created by Establishment Warrant in the next financial year. The Member for Anson also raised the question of staffing. We have 47 Factory Inspectors gazetted under the Factories Act.”
“The Committee has worked out a code of practice on safety and health at construction worksites, and this code will be observed by all building contractors. The various professional bodies represented on this Committee will be signing an undertaking on the 26th of this month to observe these regulations. 4.00 p.m. At the same time, there is a "Dos and Don'ts" booklet in pictorial form, and we are going to distribute this shortly. Members will find that it is very attractive. It will be particularly helpful to the workers because it will be put into their hands. Members can see from the colour drawings in the booklet the various aspects of danger in construction sites. We are also organising a "Safety and Health" campaign for construction workers. The opening ceremony will be on the 27th of this month at the construction site next to the Ministry of Labour's office at Havelock Road, that is, at the Lower Courts complex. The principal attraction of this campaign is a mobile exhibition, which will be displayed at 26 selected work sites throughout the Island to arouse the safety consciousness of all persons concerned with the building and construction industry. Members whose constituencies are chosen for the exhibition will be invited together with the community leaders in the constituencies. Thirdly, we have brought out a new publication entitled "The New Worker" with emphasis on educating the workers and employers on the preventive rather than the curative aspects of industrial accidents. The publication is in English and Chinese. This is the third copy. The first copy was published in August/September last year. It is a bi-monthly publication. Members are welcome to a copy of this publication if they do not already have one.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I share the same concern expressed by the Member for Sembawang that despite the Government's extensive efforts, industrial accidents, particularly in the building and construction sector, are still increasing. However, I would like to stress that there was only a marginal increase of 0.6 per cent, from 2,892 accidents in 1972 to 2,910 in 1973. My Ministry is paying close attention to the building and construction sector where the number of accidents has increased from 463 in 1972 to 487 in 1973. In this connection, the Government has accepted the recommendations of the ad hoc Committee on Wood Scaffoldings, and contractors have been required to comply accordingly. Hon. Members will recall that I have on many occasions stressed the importance of inculcating in our workers and employers alike the need to observe safety rules and regulations. This is still very valid today. Although sound construction of scaffoldings is essential in preventing accidents, it is more important that employees working on these scaffoldings take a keen interest in their own safety by double-checking the safety aspects of the scaffoldings and by using the necessary safety equipment, such as safety belts and life-lines provided for them. With a view to educating workers and employers, certain measures are being taken by the Ministry. A Committee on Safety and Health at Construction Work-sites was set up some time last year to advise on ways and means of curbing the increasing number of accidents. The Committee comprises representatives from contractors, associations, professional bodies, statutory boards and the Ministry of Labour.”
“Sir, we do not know what the NTUC proposes to do, or what are its rules and regulations governing the houses that are to be built or purchased. So until such matters are in our hands, I do not think I can comment at this stage. I welcome the NTUC to make their application and submit all its rules and regulations regarding such a project, and I am sure we will give it very sympathetic consideration.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not think the purpose of CPF savings is just to purchase houses. The original intention is for the members to save for old age after retirement, and not really for purchasing houses. To meet the requirement of the lower income wage earners, the decision was made to allow them to make use of their credits in the Central Provident Fund to purchase Housing and Development Board flats only. But if the Member would like the facility to be stretched further, then the matter would have to be considered in greater detail. As for the Member for Kim Seng, I am not suggesting that it is too early to make rules and regulations. I am saying that if he has any particular view-points and if he would like to submit them to the Ministry of Finance - not to me as I have nothing to do with it - then they might be able to take into consideration the various points that he and other Members have to make.”
“Sir, I thought the Member said something about paying exorbitant interest or something like that.”
“Sir, in answer to the Member for Boon Teck, I would say that as long as the middle income wage earners use their own money, nobody will quarrel with them. But when they want to use their CPF money, then I am afraid they will have to follow rules and regulations as laid down by the CPF Board. As to when the Government will proceed, I am sure the Member for Kim Seng will realise that in planning to build houses a lot of time and effort is required. First, one has to search for suitable sites, and then to find the necessary funds to build the houses. To say what sort of conditions would govern the middle income wage earners who purchase these flats, I think it is too early to talk about rules and regulations. But if the Members have any suggestions to make, I am sure the relevant authorities will be glad to consider their points of view.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, Members will recollect that at the Parliament sitting on 29th March, 1971, I had indicated that it was not intended to extend the Central Provident Fund approved housing scheme regulations to allow CPF members from the middle income group to purchase private houses built by housing societies. I also indicated that the policy might be reviewed in five years' time, depending on the housing position then and the HDB building capacity. In view of the present need to encourage domestic savings and marshal them for development purposes, the question of allowing middle income CPF members to utilise their CPF savings to purchase houses built by private developers, statutory boards and housing societies will only be reviewed in 1976. However, I am sure that Members will be glad to know that Government will be building, in the very near future, flats for this middle income group, i.e, the middle income wage earners who do not qualify under the present HDB housing scheme.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, may we have it deferred to another day? Mr Speaker: Mr Conceicao, I think it would be best for the Minister to give you a written reply.”
“There will be more parking of Mercedes cars!”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Third time." Hon. Members will recall that the Bill was committed to a Select Committee on 3rd November last year. The Select Committee received two written representations. Except for a few minor amendments, the Bill in its present form is very much the same as it was originally before the House. Sir, I beg to move.”
“-[Mr Sia Kah Hui]. Bill considered in Committee. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 3.41 p.m. Clause 1 -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Sir, section 47 of the Trade Unions Act currently limits the land which a registered trade union may purchase or take upon lease to an area not exceeding one acre in extent. This piece of legislation was made about 32 years ago. There are at present 28 trade unions comprising 16 unions of employers and 12 unions of employees which own office buildings on land either leased or purchased by them. None of the land area held by them exceeds one acre. However, with enlarged membership and growing affluence, it is anticipated that more and more trade unions will be able to purchase or lease land to build their own offices. Moreover, the larger trade unions may wish to purchase land to build their branch offices as well. At the moment, they are prevented by law from doing so if the aggregate area of land to he owned by them exceeds one acre. Hence, unless section 47 of the Trade Unions Act is amended as proposed, the trade unions will he restricted in their efforts to build offices or branch offices for their members. Such restriction could retard the healthy growth and development of the trade union movement in Singapore, especially from the administrative and financial point of view. It is, therefore, necessary to introduce the Bill now before the House. The Bill seeks to amend section 47 of the Trade Unions Act with a view to empowering the Minister to approve in any particular case the purchase or taking upon lease by a trade union of land that exceeds one acre in extent. Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move. 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 Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That this Parliament resolves that the written representations submitted to, and the Minutes of the Evidence taken by, the Select Committee on the Employment (Amendment) Bill and the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill in the previous session be presented to Parliament. Members will recall that both the Employment (Amendment) Bill and the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill were introduced in the last session of the Second Parliament. They were committed to a Select Committee after the Second Reading on the 2nd June, 1972. Written representations were made to the Select Committee on both Bills by the National Trades Union Congress, the Singapore Employers Federation, the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce, the Singapore Manufacturers Association, the Singapore Chinese Bus Owners Association, the major oil companies, Lam Huat Hup Kee Pineapple Co. (Pte.) Ltd., and the proprietor of Asia Book Company. Oral representations have also been made before the Select Committee arid some of their recommendations, both oral and written, have been incorporated in the two Bills read for the First time in this House on the 17th of this month. As it is not proposed to commit the Bills to a Select Committee again, it would be appropriate to have the written representations submitted to, and the Minutes of the Evidence taken by, the Select Committee in the previous session, be presented to Parliament. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That this Parliament resolves that the written representations submitted to, and the Minutes of the Evidence taken by, the Select Committee on the Employment (Amendment) Bill and the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill in the previous session be presented to Parliament.”
“As I said earlier, Sir, some of them lose interest very quickly. The Member must not be taken in by the figures as such, because not every disabled person can be retrained. It may appear on paper that there is a big proportion of disabled people not making use of this scheme, but I am sure that quite a number of them are not in a position to accept this kind of retraining. However, we will see that our officials do make this training scheme known to those who are suitable for training, and to give them every encouragement wherever possible.”
“Yes, Sir, wherever possible, these disabled persons, who are capable of working as lift attendants, are given priority of employment. But there are certain cases where employers do not want to use them for various reasons and we cannot force them to accept these people. However, we will certainly give them priority if we have the power to do so.”
“Sir, first of all, let me give a picture of what is happening and what has been done in this particular section. The Scheme for the Rehabilitation and Retraining of Disabled Persons renders assistance to disabled persons suffering from any form of disability caused by accidents or disease. Such assistance is aimed at helping them to regain economic independence by undergoing courses of training in trade which will enable them to be gainfully employed on completion of their training. Training is normally fixed for a period of six months in the first instance, with possible extension of one to three months, and in exceptional cases for longer periods. During the year 1971, 30 disabled persons were placed for training under the scheme in seven different trades. Of these, eight completed their training and found employment. Eight others discontinued their training due to loss of interest. The remaining 14 will continue with their training in 1972. Under the scheme, a trainee obtains a subsistence allowance and a transport allowance. The cost of training for the year amounted to $7,222.13. May I assure the Member for Jalan Kayu that the Ministry of Labour will be prepared to expand the scheme for the rehabilitation and retraining of disabled persons if there is a demand for such training. While training is one aspect of the problem, the more important aspect is the employment opportunities available for such trained persons. It is hoped that employers will overcome certain prejudices and readily offer jobs to disabled persons who have been retrained.”
“Sir, this sum of $170 is required to purchase boiler suits to be worn by Inspectors of Factories in the course of their inspection of pressure vessels, and also to purchase and process 35 mm films taken of scenes of industrial accidents, and occurrences of dangerous machine installations. The pictures are required as exhibits for court cases and investigation reports. Mr Teong Eng Siong(In Mandarin): Sir, I thank the Minister of State for his explanation, and I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. 7.00 p.m.”
“Sir, a temporary work permit can always be given.”
“Sir, in this particular case, the employee has to speak to the employer that he should have no difficulty in getting a work permit. I do not think we can tell the employer to keep him.”
“Sir, as admitted by the Member, these blue identity card holders, who claim their place of birth as Singapore, are not citizens. As far as we are concerned, they are not citizens, and that is a fact. So they come under the category of non-citizens, and they must apply for work permits if they are looking for jobs. But it is also a fact that permanent residents with blue identity cards have no difficulty whatsoever in obtaining work permits, as it has been the policy all along to issue them with work permits. If there is any company which says that they cannot employ this category of residents because they cannot get work permits, then I will be glad to receive details of the particular incident from the Member.”
“But I regret that when these people apply for jobs, whether in Government departments or in private firms, their applications are rejected on the basis that they are not Singapore citizens. The departments and firms which are prepared to employ them often ask for work permits, and there are times when their applications for work permits are rejected by the authorities on the ground that the work can be done by holders of Singapore pink identity cards. Sir, I think the time has come for the Ministry of Labour to consider exempting these people from work permit requirements, so that they can be given equal treatment with holders of pink identity cards with regard to securing employment so that the economy of the Republic can be further boosted and, at the same time alleviate the burden of some of our citizens. The Minister for Labour just now stated that some of the Statutory Boards are faced with the problem of trying to recruit additional labour, and therefore their workers are asked to work overtime, it blue identity card holders, who claim to be born in Singapore, are exempted from work permit requirements, then employers and statutory boards will not have any difficulty in encountering the shortage of workers.”
“Sir, I think it is the policy to sympathetically consider applications for work permits by non-citizens who are married to citizens and having children born in Singapore. This policy also applies to foreign workers who have families in Singapore, as long as the application does not jeopardise the interest of our own citizens. Regarding the figures, I can only give the Member the figure as at 29th February, 1972. There were 69,790 work permit holders in Singapore. I am afraid I cannot give him the breakdown of that figure. Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi(In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, just now during Question Time the Minister for Home Affairs has stated in this House that the Government will not alter its decision made in 1968 with regard to the granting of citizenship to those people who were born in Singapore but without birth certificates. These people are holders of blue identity cards and it is clearly stated in their identity cards that their place of birth is Singapore. The only difficulty is that they cannot produce evidence of birth or citizenship certificate, but their country of The same amendment also stood in the Kah Ting, birth is clearly stated as Singapore. With this, Sir, it means that the Commissioner of National Registration accepts the fact that these people were born in Singapore. The only difficulty is that they cannot produce evidence of birth. These people were raised in Singapore, they went to school in Singapore and they have the required residential qualifications. They have undergone the way of life in Singapore and their situation is similar to those who hold pink identity cards.”
“With regard to advisers, we are looking around to see whether there are suitably qualified and competent people to assist us in the training of these officers. Regarding safety equipment, which the Member has alleged that they are just used for show, may I say that we have the Singapore Institute of Standards and Industrial Research and that perhaps some of the safety equipment should bear the stamp of that Institute. Anyway, I thank the Member for bringing this matter to my attention. We will certainly look into it to see that the safety equipment do conform to the necessary standards set by the Institute.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to point out that the Factories Act is jointly administered by the Factory Inspectorate and the Industrial Health Unit of the Ministry of Labour. While it is true that the number of Inspectors of Factories has only increased from six to eight, an additional post of Inspector of Factories has been created for the Industrial Health Unit. In addition to these posts, a Civil engineer from the P.W.D, will be seconded to the Factory Inspectorate, through special arrangements; making the total increase to four Inspectors of Factories. Besides, the staff establishment of the Industrial Health Unit is to be increased by one Health Officer, one Senior Public Health Inspector, one Sister and one Executive Officer. With the abovementioned increases in the staff establishment, the Factory Inspectorate and the Industrial Health Unit will be able to take on the additional workload that will result from the introduction of the Factories Bill. Notwithstanding this, the Ministry will also review from time to time the staffing position of these two departments and to rectify any inadequacies. May I stress that however stringently we may enforce the proposed Factories Act, by increasing the staff of the Factory Inspectorate and the Industrial Health Unit, the problem of industrial safety and health can never be solved by law enforcement alone, as the Minister has mentioned a few minutes ago. In the final analysis, industrial safety requires the concerted effort of everybody concerned - workers, trade unions, employers, and the Government. As regards the training of new Inspectors, at the moment we do not have plans to send them abroad. They are being trained by the Senior Inspectors within the Ministry.”
“The various reasons why contributions to the Fund can be withdrawn are clearly stated in the Central Provident Fund Ordinance. MALAY SECONDARY SCHOOLS (Teaching of Science and Mathematics in English) 5. Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi asked the Minister for Education in how many Malay secondary school classes are Science and Mathematics taught in English and in which schools. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education (Inche Mohd. Ghazali Bin Ismail) (for the Minister for Education): Sir, out of the 12 secondary schools which have a Malay stream, 10 have started classes where Mathematics and Science are taught in English. The breakdown is as follows: - Science Mathematics No. Name of School No. of No. of No. of No. of Classes pupils Classes pupils 1. Kaki Bukit Secondary School 8 336 8 336 2. Maju Secondary School 6 242 6 242 3. Jalan Teck Whye Secondary School 9 326 9 326 4. Sang Nila Utama Secondary School 2 69 2 69 5. Yusof Ishak Secondary School 4 146 5 178 6. Swiss Cottage Secondary School 12 479 12 479 7. Telok Kurau Secondary School 5 197 18 697 8. Changkat Changi Secondary School 12 404 12 404 9. Tun Sen Lanang Secondary School 24 768 22 768 10. Upper Serangoon Secondary Technical School 18 703 18 703 11. Monk's Hill Secondary School - - - - 12. Buona Vista Secondary School - - - - ------------------------------------------ 100 3,670 112 4,202 ========================================== Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff(In Malay): Mr Speaker, may I know when can these schools commence teaching these two subjects in English?”
“Sir, the basic aim of the Central Provident Fund is to provide workers with some savings for the time when they retire from employment, or when they are no longer able to work. To allow withdrawal of money from the Fund, before a member has qualified for withdrawal in order to proceed on pilgrimage to Mecca, would not be consistent with the purpose for which the Fund was established. Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi (Kampong Kembangan)(In Malay): I wish to know, Mr Speaker, Sir, whether money from this Fund can be withdrawn for other purposes?”
“Sir, as I have said earlier, I assure the Member that any practical suggestions that he has to make are welcome and will be given due consideration, and will he please put them up in writing. SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (Construction of second runway) 3. Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Communications whether his Ministry has come to a final decision on the construction of a second runway for the Singapore Airport; where will it be constructed; and when construction is expected to commence.”
“Sir, as provided for, claims can be made under the Workmen's Compensation Act. But if the injured workman wants to take other courses which are open to him, then I am afraid he will have to follow the procedure as laid down in the Courts of Law.”
“Sir, as I said in my answer earlier, workmen's compensation does not take into consideration who is at fault. However, if the injured worker feels that he is not responsible, but that there is a third party involved, or that the employer is responsible, then he can take the case up to the Civil Court.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am in entire agreement with the sentiments expressed by the Member for Kallang. I think the staff of the Ministry of Labour, like any other citizen or non-citizen for that matter, is aware of the importance of measures to save lives and of preventing accidents happening anywhere. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That this Parliament, pursuant to subsection (3) of section 66 of the Factories Act (Chapter 123, 1970 Edition), resolves that the Building Operations and Works of Engineering Construction Regulations, 1971, made on the 18th day of March, 1971, and published as Notification No. S 96 in the Gazette Subsidiary Legislation Supplement No. 21 of 26th March, 1971, as contained in Paper S.L. 16 of 1971, be approved. COMMITTEE OF SELECTION 3.11 p.m. Resolved, "That this Parliament, in accordance with paragraph (I) of Standing Order 95, appoints the following as members h'f the Committee of Selection: Mr E. W. Barker Inche Mohamed Ghazali Bin Ismail Mr N. Govindasarny Mr Ng Yeow Chong M-Phua Bah Lee Mr Sia Kah Hui Mr Yeo Choo Kok." - [Mr E. W. Barker]. NATURE RESERVES ORDINANCE (MODIFICATION OF SCHEDULE) 3.12 p.m.”