CONSTITUTION OF TRADE UNIONS

Inche Mohd. Ali Bin Alwi (Kampong Kembangan): (In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, on behalf of the Party which I represent, I am taking this opportunity to convey some of its views concerning the constitution of trade unions in my adjournment speech in this Assembly. Mr Speaker, Sir, the time has come for us to draw the attention of the Government to the fact that amendments should be made to the constitution of trade unions to the effect that all the personnel managing trade unions and labour unions must be citizens of Singapore. Mr Speaker, Sir, as we all know, we have discussed today at great length the enactment of trade union laws in order to maintain industrial peace. As we already have our own flag and our own national song, we feel that the time has come for consideration to be given to the citizens of Singapore to participate in trade union and labour union affairs. We certainly do not like to see persons who are non-citizens of Singapore upsetting the livelihood of our workers. We wish for peace, progress and prosperity for our State. At this moment, we have representatives elected by the people who, I am sure, are capable of effecting a change to the constitution of trade unions so that only citizens of Singapore can play a leading part in trade unions. We are going ahead with our plans to make Malay the national language in the future. The matter on which I am speaking is of only a minor character, and I am sure the Government will be able to resolve it without much waste of time. We do wish that citizens of Singapore should be given a greater opportunity to lead in the field of trade unionism. If possible, we do not wish citizens of the Federation of Malaya to take an active part in our trade union affairs. Citizens of the Federation of Malaya are citizens of an independent State, and we should not give them an opportunity to play a leading role in our trade union activities. We must also take into consideration the fact that Commonwealth citizens should also be excluded from taking part in our internal affairs. The time has now come for us to take part in affairs which affect us. In these circumstances, Sir, I hope the Government will give consideration to the points which I have raised with a view to framing a new constitution whereby we can give opportunities to our own people -

Mr Speaker: Order. I was just wondering whether the hon. Member is advocating legislation. If he is, then this is not the time to do so. He is a legislator and has an opportunity of introducing a Bill if necessary. An adjournment speech must not suggest legislation.

Inche Mohd. Ali Bin Alwi: (In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not wish to introduce legislation during this period when I have been permitted by you to speak. I am merely drawing the attention of the Government to what I have just said about the personnel in our trade unions, in the hope that they can concede to the wishes of the majority or the majority of the citizens of Singapore. In this matter relating to the constitution of trade unions or labour unions, we hope that the Government will take a serious view of the personnel who play a leading role in trade unions, especially in Service trade unions. We can see in these trade unions that their leaders are not citizens of Singapore. Although the money paid to the Service employees is not borne by this Government but by the British Government, we all know that the majority of these Service employees are Singapore citizens. It is, therefore, desirable that the citizens of Singapore should be given an opportunity to take over the responsibility of running their unions when they come together during their general meetings, and that future legislation should be passed by this Government to this effect. Therefore, with such encouragement from the Government, I believe that the citizens of Singapore will be grateful to the Government and that they will support the Government in other matters.

As I have said earlier, Mr Speaker, Sir, we do not wish to see people, who have not taken out citizenship papers, take part in running our trade union affairs. What is the purpose of giving opportunities to citizens of the Federation of Malaya to play an important role in our unions? We are fit and capable of administering our own affairs. If there are persons in these unions with influence or ulterior motives, then I feel that the Government should take a more active interest in such affairs. These may be affairs relating to the security and peace of our State, because we know that undesirable elements are waiting for an opportunity to make use of the trade unions for their own ends with a view to grabbing power in the next elections. The members of the trade unions could be influenced ideologically by these undesirable elements. If such a state of affairs exists - and the Government is fully aware of this - I think the time has come, Mr Speaker, Sir, for us to take appropriate action. We do not wish to see such persons interfering in our domestic affairs, because these are affairs which concern the workers and their families. If there are persons who are non-citizens of Singapore taking part in union activities which would result in hardship to the workers and their families, the consequences will be very serious. This will not only affect the workers but also their families and their dependants. But the main thing, Mr Speaker, Sir, is this - let us make an effort to get rid of those persons who do not wish to become citizens of Singapore or who are not brave enough to show their undivided loyalty to this State. Our aim is to protect the interest of the citizens of Singapore. If such undesirable persons are given an opportunity to play a leading role in our trade union activities, Mr Speaker, Sir, I believe we will be confronted with bigger problems, because, as I have said earlier, this can be considered as an external threat which is in conflict with our own interest. If such a threat exists, it will lead to disaster and the name of our State will be damaged.

I hope the Government will look into this matter so that we can restrict such persons who are non-citizens of Singapore - irrespective of whether they are citizens of the Federation of Malaya or of the United Kingdom and Colonies or of other independent States - from playing a leading part in trade unionism in Singapore. These persons have no franchise and they are not citizens of our State. I hope the Government will take a serious view of this matter so that we can fulfil our main obligation, that is, to help our own citizens.

Mr Byrne: Mr Speaker, Sir, I can assure the Member for Kampong Kernbangan that the Government is at present giving very serious consideration to introducing a new Trade Union Ordinance to repeal the present Ordinance, and to give effect to Government's policy with regard to trade unions.

The hon. Member has suggested that committee membership of trade unions should be limited to Singapore citizens. That is written into the Trade Union Ordinance in the Federation of Malaya. I would draw the attention of the Mem- ber for Kampong Kembangan to clause 7 of the Industrial Relations Bill which was debated in this House earlier this afternoon. He will see that it is the proposal of this Government to restrict participation in both the employers' and the employees' panels of the Court of Arbitration to persons who are Singapore citizens. Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not propose to indicate to this House what the Government's proposals will be in regard to the new Trade Union Ordinance, which it is proposed to introduce in the near future. It would be premature on my part if I tried to do so.

But I would like to remind the Member for Kampong Kembangan that Government does not look with favour on union organisations which are communal. I do not propose to mention in this House the names of unions which restrict their membership to persons of a certain race. That sort of organisation does not fall in line with Government's policy with regard to trade unions. I am taking this opportunity to bring this to the hon. Member's attention, as he has taken some time this afternoon to suggest to Government the lines on which it should proceed when introducing the new Trade Union Ordinance.

That is all I propose to say this afternoon.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this Assembly do now adjourn.

Adjourned accordingly at Twenty minutes past Eight o'clock p.m. to Friday, 12th February, 1960. REPORT OF NANYANG UNIVERSITY REVIEW COMMITTEE(Cols 0217-0218)