RETRENCHMENT AT AIRPORT P.W.D. PLANT SECTION

Mr Lee Kuan Yew asked the Minister for Communications and Works how many men in the Airport P.W.D. Plant Section are being retrenched; and whether alternative employment could be made available.

Mr Francis Thomas: I am not perfectly certain what the Member for Tanjong Pagar means by the Airport P.W.D. Plant Section. There are two plant units of the Airport: one is the Workshop unit which maintains and repairs the plant; the other really has no defined name but it is sometimes referred to as the field unit and comprises the men who actually drive or operate the various forms of plant. I have got figures for both units and I will give them now.

Workshop unit: Notice of termination of service has been given to 25 men. Alternative employment has been found for five of them and it is possible that two others will also be offered employment. It has not been possible to offer employment to the remaining 18.

Field unit: Notice has been given to 21 men. Alternative employment has been found for two of these men. It is possible that two others will also be offered employment. It is not possible to offer alternative employment to the remaining 17.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: In respect of those who are not being offered alternative employment, will not the Minister consider some form of gratuity or compensation while they look for alternative employment?

Mr Francis Thomas: I am afraid that the matter has to be referred to the Establishments Branch. It is not a matter for which I could take responsibility.