SINGAPORE HAIRDRESSERS UNION (8-hour working day)

Mr Lin You Eng asked the Minister for Labour what action has been taken in regard to the Memorandum submitted to the Government by the Singapore Hairdressers Union asking the Government to introduce legislation to provide that the workers should work only 8 hours a day, and whether the Government intends to introduce such legislation.

Mr Wee Toon Boon (for the Minister for Labour): Mr Speaker, Sir, the question raised is adequately covered by the existing legislation. May I refer the hon. Member to the Shop Assistants Employment Ordinance which stipulates that a shop assistant "shall not be required under his contract of service to work more than eight hours in one day, nor for more than 44 hours in one week." It also provides that the shop assistant, with the consent of his employer, may work up to a maximum of 12 hours a day, and if he does so, he is entitled to overtime wages. It can be seen that within these provisions, a shop assistant may not work for more than eight hours a day if he does not wish to do so.

If legislation is introduced stipulating that hairdressers are required to work only eight hours a day, it would be a retrograde step as it would deprive this class of workers from earning overtime wages and would be construed as discriminatory legislation. If the Singapore Hairdressers Union is concerned about hairdressers doing more than eight hours' work a day, it could take the matter up and reach a mutually satisfactory agreement with the employers concerned.