SECRET BALLOT OF SINGAPORE HARBOUR BOARD WORKERS

Implementation of recommendation by

Court of Inquiry into Trade Dispute

Mr Lee Kuan Yew asked the Minister for Labour and Welfare whether and when his Ministry will implement the recommendation for a secret ballot in paragraph 9 (iii) (b)* at page 8 of the Report of the Court of Inquiry into the Trade Dispute at the Singapore Harbour Board as contained in Sessional Paper No. S. 7 of 1957.

*Following is paragraph 9 (iii) (b) -

"In the case of the Singapore Harbour Staff Association the question of whether or not it is representative of a majority of workers in the Singapore Harbour Board, is more difficult and clouded by the effect of disorderly administrative practices in the keeping of books, accounts and other papers, and with inadequate routine of notification of changes, particularly on the alteration of the Association's rules to include all employees of the Singapore Harbour Board.

From the evidence presented to us there are signs that something like 4,000 workers were members of one particular union, the Singapore Harbour Board Workers Union, and that with the addition of members of the Singapore Harbour Board Staff Association, the total figure would have been somewhere around 7,000. Whether or not the 4,000 members of the Singapore Harbour Board Workers Union can now be considered as members of the Singapore Harbour Board Workers Union, from the evidence provided by the Registrar of Trade Unions and his Assistant, and from the submission of counsel. It is our opinion,therefore, that further evidence should be collected in the form of a secret ballot by members whose names appear on the membership cards of the Singapore Harbour Board Workers Union and the Singapore Harbour Board Staff Association. The question to be asked should be whether or not each one of these men supports the Singapore Harbour Board Staff Association. The ballot could be easily arranged by the Ministry of Labour in co-operation with the Registrar of Trade Unions and the Supervisor of Elections."

Dr Lim Yew Hock: Sir, the question is in regard to a suggestion and not a recommendation of the Court of Inquiry. This question is under examination in the light of its wide implications.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Can the Hon. Minister for Labour and Welfare indicate when we can expect an announcement of the decision arrived at?

Dr Lim Yew Hock: In this case trade union organisations will have to be consulted for their views, and as soon as these views have been gathered by the Labour Department, a decision will be given.