STRIKES

Dr Thio Chan Bee asked the Minister for Labour what are the reasons for the recent crop of strikes in Singapore, and what measures he proposes to take to promote harmonious relations between labour and management to ensure industrial peace.

Inche Ahmad Bin Ibrahim: Mr Speaker, Sir, as regards the first part of the question, during the last three months - August, September and October - there were 37 strikes. The reasons for these strikes were as follows:

(a) 14 were over wage increases, overtime wages and conditions of service;

(b) 8 were over retrenchment and dismissal of employees;

(c) 3 were over collective agreements;

(d) 2 were over payment of higher commission rates;

(e) 2 were over recruitment of new workers;

(f) 1 was over the replacement of an existing worker;

(g) 1 was over an alleged anti-union attitude by the management;

(h) 1 was over alleged removal of the union's notice board;

(i) I was over the recognition of a trade union to represent daily-rated (Number of registration certificates cancelled and number of applications for registration rejected) workers in Government departments;

(j) 1 was over an allegation by the union that the employer had compelled workers to sign a statement that they had started work on a certain date;

(k) 1 was over an allegation by the union that a member of the management had used abusive words on an employee who is a member of the union;

(l) 1 was over the refusal of the management to grant 6 months no-pay leave to a worker;

(m) 1 was over allotment of work.

As regards the second part of the question, the measures taken by the Government in introducing the Industrial Relations Ordinance, under which the Industrial Arbitration Court was set up, have brought about some measure of law and order in the sphere of industrial relations and in effecting Government's policy of ensuring industrial peace with justice.

Dr Thio Chan Bee: Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Minister aware that the Industrial Arbitration Court is not able to cope with the number of cases for settlement before them? Would he consider establishing a second Industrial Arbitration Court in order to expedite the settlement of these outstanding unsettled cases?

Inche Ahmad Bin Ibrahim: I hope to do so, if the occasion arises, Mr Speaker.