PROFESSIONAL, EXECUTIVES AND MANAGERIAL EMPLOYEES (Assistance in resolution of salary disputes)

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PROFESSIONAL, EXECUTIVES AND MANAGERIAL EMPLOYEES:

(Assistance in resolution of salary disputes): The following Question stood in the name of Mr Yeo Guat Kwang -

14. To ask the Minister for Manpower how does his Ministry assist professionals, executives and managerial employees resolve salary disputes with their respective employers.

Mdm Halimah Yacob: Question No. 14, Sir.

Mr Hawazi Daipi (for the Minister for Manpower): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Ministry does provide conciliation service for managers and executives to resolve disputes with their employers even though they do not fall within the ambit of the Employment Act. In 2003, about half of the disputes, ie, 297 or 48%,referred to the Ministry's Labour Relations Department for conciliation or advice were resolved amicably. Of the other half, some of the claims could not be substantiated, while others withdrew their claims mainly because their employers were in serious financial difficulties and these executivesdid not see the benefits of pursuing their claims further. Executives who are unable to resolve their claims at the Ministry can pursue their claims at the civil court.

MOM recognises that some executives do need assistance in taking up their grievances with management. This is

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why in September 2002 the Industrial Relations Act was amended to allow executives to join and be represented by the rank-and-file unions in their workplace on matters relating to payment of retrenchment benefits, dismissal and breach of contract under this Act. Executives who are members of a union can approach their union for assistance should they encounter a problem with their employers in any of these areas.

Mdm Halimah Yacob: Sir, I would like to ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary whether the Ministry will consider amending the Employment Act to allow the executives/managers access to the labour court. And I would like to repeat the point that it is access only to the labour court in terms of claims for arrears of salaries and other disputes and not access to other provisions of the Act, as the feedback is that the existing voluntary method of conciliation has been not so effective in helping executives/managers to resolve their disputes. And settling their claims in the civil court is too expensive for executives, Sir.

Mr Hawazi Daipi: Sir, I would say that the current system works. Let us see how it works further to help executives to protect themselves in the face ofdifficulties at workplaces. But should there be any need in future to consider amending the Employment Act, we will keep our options open.

Ms Braema Mathiaparanam (Nominated Member): Sir, may I ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretarywhether the Ministry knows of the number of cases that the complainants took their cases to the civil court?

Mr Hawazi Daipi: Sir, in 2003, out of 621 cases handled based on complaints from executives, 3% took out civil court proceedings against their employers.