PROPOSED DE-REGISTRATION OF TEACHERS' UNIONS

Mr Yeo Choo Kok asked the Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour (a) whether the Ministry of Labour intends to ask the various existing teachers' unions to de-register themselves in the light of the views expressed by the First Deputy Prime Minister recently; and (b) whether the Ministry will disallow teachers from forming unions after they have been accorded professional status similar to that of other professionals such as lawyers, accountants, etc.

The Minister of State for Labour (Mr Sia Kah Hui) (for the Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour): Mr Speaker, Sir, the view expressed by the First Deputy Prime Minister recently is a matter for the five teachers' unions to consider. There is no need for the Ministry to ask the unions to de-register themselves.

Some hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sia Kah Hui: The question of whether the Ministry would disallow teachers from forming unions after they have been accorded professional status does not arise at this juncture. In any case, registration of a union is considered on its own merit and in accordance with the Trade Unions Act.