TRADE UNIONS (Numbers, Annual returns, Notices served)

Wednesday, 3rd December, 1958

Mr Lee Choon Eng asked the Minister for Labour and Welfare to state -

(a) the total number of registered Trade Unions in the Colony as at 31st March, 1957; the number and names of those Unions which failed to submit to the Registrar of Trade Unions their annual returns for the year ending 31st March, 1957, by 31st March, 1958; and the actions (with dates) taken against them;

(b) the names of those registered Trade Unions which failed to submit their annual returns for the year ending 31st March, 1958, by 30th June, 1958; and the names of those Unions served with notices during the months of July and October, 1958, because of such failure, stating the duration of the notices; and

(c) the names of those registered Trade Unions which failed to submit their annual returns for the year ending 31st March, 1958, by 30th September, 1958.

Tun Lim Yew Hock: (a) The total number of registered Trade Unions in the Colony as at 31st March, 1957, was 263. The number and names of those trade unions which failed to submit to the Registrar of Trade Unions their annual returns for the year ending 31st March, 1957, by 31st March, 1958, and the action (with dates) taken against them are as follows:

1. Singapore Clog Workers Union - Certificate of Registration cancelled on 11th July, 1957.

2. Pakistani Seamen's Union of Singapore - Certificate of Registration cancelled on 22nd May, 1958.

3. Singapore Harbour Board Stevedores and Wharf Workers Union - Certificate of Registration cancelled on 6th February, 1958.

4. Singapore Amusement Workers Union - Certificate of Registration cancelled on 13th February, 1958.

5. Singapore Civil Air Transport Union - Certificate of Registration cancelled on 8th January, 1958.

6. Radio Malaya Local Programme Staff Union - Certificate of Registration cancelled on 24th January, 1958.

7. Singapore Cement Loading and Unloading Labourers Union - Certificate of Registration cancelled on 22nd February, 1958.

8. Christ Church School Teachers Union - Certificate of Registration withdrawn on 10th April, 1957.

9. Singapore "Pelni" Local Employees Union - Certificate of Registration cancelled on 2nd December, 1957.

(b) and (c) The nature of these two queries involves the checking of the files of 103 Trade Unions for the facts and figures required. It is impossible to give the answers now. However, they will be given as soon as they are ready.