LEGISLATION TO PROTECT WORKERS OF DISSOLVED UNIONS

4.58 p.m.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew (Tanjong Pagar): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I move the motion standing in my name, namely,

"That this House is of the opinion that legislation be introduced to protect workers whose interests may be adversely affected by the dissolution of their unions.

On 5th December, 1956, I brought the attention of the House to the fact that some 35,000 trade unionists are facing the possibility of having their union dissolved because of the folly of some of their officials.

Sir, the position is serious because there are in existence, so far as the Singapore Factory and Shop Workers' Union is concerned, some 50 agreements with employers. Unless some provision is made for these contracts to remain valid after the dissolution of the union, it is doubtful whether these contracts can be recognised by the employers after the union's dissolution. With the disappearance of the union, the contracting party disappears, and some kind of provision must be made to prevent the workers from losing the benefits of these agreements.

Sir, there is very little to add. The issue is simple. I have, however, had the benefit of an informal discussion with the Minister for Labour. I do not wish to prejudge what will happen when the Registrar of Trade Unions holds his enquiry with regard to the missing funds of the union. If the Chief Minister will give an assurance in this House that the matter will be considered after the decision of the Registrar of Trade Unions, I will withdraw this motion till a later date.

Mr Goh Chew Chua: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to second the motion and reserve my right to speak later.

Question proposed.

5.00 p.m.

The Chief Minister: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in view of the line taken by the hon. mover of the motion, I would like to say this. The Factory and Shop-workers' Union is the only union now likely to be dissolved, but dissolution will be completed only if the union fails to show cause.

Sir, since the Member for Tanjong Pagar said that he is willing to withdraw this motion pending the result of the, shall we say, dissolution proceedings that are at the present time being taken against this union, I will therefore not touch at great length on this motion. But there is one point I would like to make clear, Sir. I find that I am not in a position to support the motion as worded but I do sympathise with him in regard to the fears expressed by him on the conditions of employment that have been matters of contract between this union and the employers in Singapore. I am, at the present time, Sir, exploring the feasibility of setting up machinery for the better observance of wage contracts, and I would assure the hon. Member that the point that he had discussed with me informally before this sitting will be thoroughly investigated and I will do whatever I can to see to it that if the points are possible of protection, the Government will do all it can.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg leave to withdraw this motion for debate today.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Have I the assent of this House that the motion should be withdrawn?

Hon. Members: Aye.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.