TRADE DISPUTES (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read. 4.37 p.m.

The Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour (Mr Ong Teng Cheong): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

Sir, the purpose of the Bill is to extend the scope of the Trade Disputes Act to cover other forms of industrial action short of a strike and to enhance the fines for offences committed under the Act.

Section 3(1) of the Trade Disputes Act lists three circumstances in which a strike is illegal.

First, a strike is illegal if it has any other object than the furtherance of a trade dispute within the trade or industry in which the strikers are engaged. A strike is an extremely serious action with serious implications for the employer affected and the economy in general. It should only be resorted to where there is a trade dispute between the employees and their employer. We cannot allow unions and employees to strike where the trade dispute does not concern their employer.

Secondly, a strike is illegal if it is in furtherance of a trade dispute which the Industrial Arbitration Court has cognizance. The Industrial Relations Act provides for disputes to be settled by the Industrial Arbitration Court. The system of industrial arbitration would be defeated if strikes or lock-outs are allowed after the dispute has been referred to the Industrial Arbitration Court.

Thirdly, a strike is also illegal if it is designed or calculated to coerce the Government either directly or by inflicting hardship on the community. A strike is an industrial matter. It should not be used for the political purpose of coercing the Government. Any grievance against the Government should be taken up in accordance with the procedures provided by the law.

The above arguments for disallowing strikes in the above three circumstances apply equally to other forms of industrial action, like a go-slow or a work-to-rule. However, section 3(1) of the Trade Disputes Act does not cover such forms of industrial action. Such forms of industrial action should be brought within the ambit of section 3(1) of the Trade Disputes Act.

The maximum penalties provided for the various offences under the Trade Disputes Act were last reviewed in 1960. Circumstances have changed over the last two decades. Under the existing provisions, a person found guilty of commencing an illegal strike is subject to a maximum fine of $500 and a person convicted of instigating others to take part in an illegal strike can be fined up to a maximum of $2,000. Offences under the Act are serious offences. The present maximum fines for offences committed under the Act no longer reflect the seriousness of the offences. It is, therefore, necessary to enhance the existing maximum fines.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Mr Ong Teng Cheong].

Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.