BAR WAITRESSES (Singapore citizens and non-citizens from West Malaysia)

Mr Ho See Beng asked the Minister for Labour if he has information of how many bar waitresses in Singapore are Singapore Citizens, and how many are non-Singapore Citizens from West Malaysia.

Mr Barker: Mr Speaker, Sir, from figures available in the Ministry of Labour, there were 964 bar waitresses employed as on the 31st March, 1966. 338 of these are non-Singapore citizens from West Malaysia. This is the number that has applied for work permits under the Regulation of Employment Act.

Mr Ho See Beng: Sir, is the Minister aware that the proprietors of these bars have not paid the contributions to the Central Provident Fund of some of the waitresses who work in their bars?

Mr Barker: Mr Speaker, Sir, there must be cases where contributions to the Central Provident Fund by bar waitresses are not paid. But unless the Member can give me specific cases to follow up, I am afraid I am at a loss to do so.

Mr Ho See Beng: Mr Speaker, Sir, I myself do not like to make contact with bar waitresses to find out whether or not their employers pay C.P.F. for the waitresses. But if the Acting Minister for Labour would take the trouble to send somebody to all the bars in Singapore and make inquiries, I am sure he can find out.

An hon. Member: We will send you!

Mr Barker: Mr Speaker, Sir, I will certainly direct the General Manager of the Central Provident Fund to send his team of investigators right round our bars in Singapore in order to satisfy the Member for Bras Basah, in whose constituency I believe there are several bars!