AMENDMENT TO LABOUR ORDINANCE

Mr Bernard Rodrigues asked the Minister for Labour if he will consider introducing amending legislation to bring within the ambit of the Labour Ordinance workers who are at present excluded from the provisions of the Ordinance.

The Acting Minister for Labour (Mr E. W. Barker): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Government is fully aware that, in the light of changed economic, political and social conditions in the Republic, a comprehensive review of the three employment Ordinances, namely, the Labour Ordinance, the Shop Assistants Employment Ordinance and the Clerks Employment Ordinance, with a view to their amendment, is essential. Therefore, the Government is actively considering a number of amendments to these Ordinances. These have been discussed by a sub-committee on labour matters. One of them is to extend the scope of the Labour Ordinance as well as the other two Ordinances to bring in workers who do not come within their ambit at present.