III. WORKERS' WELFARE

Workers are human beings and not mere cogs in the wheels of production. Their health and welfare are of prime importance. A worker is more efficient and productive if he has a clean environment, better educational, recreational and cultural facilities, and good amenities at his place of work. The Ministry will protect the growing industrial work force from occupational hazards and diseases. The Factory Inspectorate and Industrial Health Unit will be expanded in scope and size, and staffed with qualified professional and technical personnel so as to prevent and reduce industrial accidents and diseases.

An expanded Labour Inspectorate will more stringently ensure that minimum standards embodied in existing labour laws are respected and enforced. More inspections will be carried out by the Labour Inspectorate to check on observance of protective legislation and to assist employers to understand and comply with the law. Where any employer persists in infringing labour laws, causing harm to their workers, the Ministry will prosecute them.

Employers' contributions to the Central Provident Fund have been increased with effect from 1st July, 1972, from 10 per cent to 12 per cent for employees earning less than $200 monthly and from 10 per cent to 14 per cent for those earning more than $200 monthly. The higher rates mean better provision for workers in their old age. Moreover, the higher rates will raise the home-owning capacity of workers. Up to this month, 26,466 Central Provident Fund members had withdrawn 590,080,022 to purchase Housing and Development Board and Jurong Town Corporation flats.

The establishment of joint consultative machinery in all enterprises will be encouraged so that workers and employers can understand and appreciate one another's problems.

Finally, with higher incomes, the worker will be encouraged to constantly improve his knowledge and skills, in adult and workers education courses and refresher courses so that he can further increase his capacity in more productive labour.