CLERKS EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE (Observance by Armed Forces)

Mr Lim Choon Mong asked the Minister for Labour and Welfare whether the Clerks Employment Ordinance (No. 14 of 1957) is also observed by the Armed Services in Singapore.

Dr Lim Yew Hock: Mr Speaker, Sir, since May 1957 the matter of preparing a declaration to be made by the Governor under section 2 of the Ordinance, to the effect that clerks and industrial clerks employed by the Armed Services in Singapore are clerks for the purposes of this Ordinance, has been under consideration. When the task of classifying clerical workers in these Services is completed, such a declaration will be made and the Armed Services can then be said to be observing the provisions of the Ordinance in all respects.

Mr Lim Choon Mong: Mr Speaker, Sir, would the Hon. Minister care to let this House know when that will take effect?

Dr Lim Yew Hock: Sir, the Labour Department has requested the Service Departments to have discussions with the Unions as to the classification of clerical workers in these Service Departments, and as soon as the discussions have been completed, a declaration will be made.

Mr Lim Choon Mong: Mr Speaker, Sir, would the Minister inform us as to the work of the Tripartite Consultative Committee meetings on matters concerning Services employees?

Dr Lim Yew Hock: Sir, this is not a matter for the Tripartite Consultative Committee. It is a matter for discussion between the employers and the employee organisations concerned.