TEENAGERS NOT IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS (Assistance in securing employment)

Dr Ang Kok Peng asked the Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour (a) what measures are being taken to monitor the occupation of teenagers of the following age groups who are not in educational institutions: - (i) 12 to 14 years; (ii) 15 and 16 years: and (iii) 17 and 18 years; (b) what measures the Ministry of Labour has taken to assist the unemployed or under-employed teenagers in securing gainful employment; and (c) what further measures are being contemplated for assisting them.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Labour (Mr Eugene Yap Giau Cheng) (for the Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Ministry of Labour carries out annual surveys on the labour force, from which the Ministry knows the number of people employed and those that are unemployed. The Ministry also has an Employment Service to assist job seekers, including teenagers, to get employment. Teenagers, whether they are unemployed, underemployed or employed, are welcome to seek the assistance of the Employment Service.

There should be no difficulty in getting jobs under prevailing buoyant economic conditions. The welfare of teenagers will also be taken care of by regulations for the employment of children and young persons. There is, therefore, no need at this juncture to introduce any measures to assist them.