MINISTRY OF LABOUR

The world economic outlook remains uncertain. Slower growth and increasing pressure for protectionism are still being experienced in the developed economies. Competition for markets and investments has intensified. Our economy has weathered the past years of recession well and the outlook in the short term, barring unforeseen economic upheavals, is fairly bright. To ensure further growth of our economy and to build up resilience to meet future contingencies the Ministry will continue to work with labour and management to promote industrial peace with justice and a work environment which is safe, healthy and conducive for workers to give of their best. At the same time, inculcation of good work attitudes and promotion of workers' welfare will also be undertaken.

Labour-Management Relations

Workers and management must continue to work in close accord and harmony. Their mutual interest depends on the viability of the industry they are in. While management should adopt progressive methods and policies to train and motivate workers and accord due recognition, workers must respond and adapt to change, upgrade their skills, develop a good work ethos and increase productivity. Management should also give priority to the provision of a work environment that induces workers to give of their best.

For this reason the National Productivity Board will continue to assist companies, particularly small and medium-sized ones, to make improvements in their production technology and management systems to enhance productivity. Towards the same objective, the Board will continue to organise management and supervisory training courses for industries. Seminars will also be organised to familiarise foreign entrepreneurs and top management personnel with local industrial relations practices. The Board will also assist in the establishment of productivity committees and merit and demerit schemes. It will seek to provide new services in areas such as the application of computer controls and energy management.

Unions for their part should continue to support industrial peace and orderly wage increases tied to economic growth and higher productivity. Workers must work hard, accumulate experience and develop skills. Their expectations must be adjusted in relation to the effort put in and the level of their skill and experience. To promote the work ethos, job-related clubs in companies will be encouraged and a "Know your Company and Industry" programme will be implemented. Inter-company and inter-firm competitions relating to work will also be promoted.

The Ministry will continue to defuse and settle industrial disputes. To this end, it will closely monitor industrial relations in the Republic. It will also seek to provide improved advisory and conciliatory services through the training of its labour officers and their specialisation in selected industries. The Employment Act will be reviewed in the light of its administration and the changed circumstances since its enactment. Manpower Utilisation

The Employment Service will implement new programmes to facilitate the supply of labour to industries facing labour shortages. Recruitment drives in schools and community centres will be carried out.

Work permit policies will be regularly reviewed and adjusted to ensure that the demand for labour is met. Better liaison with employers who are major users of manpower can reduce the social problems of these policies.

The Research and Statistics Department will undertake studies into labour policies in relation to the economic situation. Particular attention will be paid to manpower and wage policies. Such research will review the effectiveness of labour policies and recommend changes in economic and manpower policies where necessary.

Social Security

The Workmen's Compensation Act will be changed to provide fairer compensation for injured workers and dependants of deceased workers. The changes will also ensure the speedy payment of compensation through better administration and enforcement. There will be training and placement of workers disabled in industrial accidents.

The Central Provident Fund Board is considering insurance schemes to provide better protection for members' families such as in the case of death early in employment. The schemes will also cover outstanding payments due on HDB/JTC flats of deceased members.

Stringent enforcement will ensure CPF contributions are paid. Assessment of employers' liability will be computerised.

In the next two or three years, further steps will be taken to increase the Board's investment returns. The possibility of using CPF savings for other justifiable purposes without losing sight of the primary objective of providing for old age will be examined. Industrial Safety and Health

Concentration on improving safety in the two most hazardous industries - shipbuilding and repairing and construction - will continue. Particular attention will be paid to those shipyards and worksites with high accident rates. The Ministry will continue to work with managements, unions and workers of shipyards to prevent the occurrence of fires or explosions which can cause injury or death to many workers. Harsher penalties will be enacted to punish those responsible for such accidents. Action will be taken to reduce the number of accidents involving workers failing from heights and being struck by failing objects. The requirement of the erection of peripheral overhead shelters and work platforms will be strictly enforced. The possibility of using the access scaffold method of construction will be looked into.

Educational activities will be stepped up. Action will be taken to ensure that all workers, direct or contract, attend the shipyard safety orientation course. Refresher courses will be run, especially for those involved in hazardous work. A similar safety orientation programme will be launched for the construction industry. Courses will first be organised for all foremen and site supervisors and later extended to all construction workers. Special training courses will be conducted for operators of mobile equipment such as cranes and forklift trucks.

In the case of industrial health, the occupational cancer prevention programme covering factories using asbestos and benzene will be continued. The programme will be extended in the next two to three years to other cancer causing agents used in industry. Studies and surveys will be made into notifiable industrial diseases, like byssinosis and metal poisonings, to ascertain their incidence and to apply control measures.

The Ministry will monitor the introduction of new industrial processes with a view to gearing itself for the safety and health problems they will pose. Preventive measures will be taken to control and minimise health and safety hazards arising from the establishment of the Sumitomo Petro-Chemical Complex and, upon approval, of the Mass Rapid Transit Project.

The Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, when established, will concentrate on meeting the need for systematic training of safety and health personnel in industry. It will also undertake consultancy and research in industrial safety and health.

ONG PANG BOON Minister for Labour