Record Date

Recorded Duration

Recording Language

Accession No.

Type

Format

Conditions Governing Access

Conditions Governing Reproduction

Synopsis :

In a question and answer session following his speech at a forum organised by the National University of Singapore Students' Union on Labour Management Relations in the 1980s, Minister for Communications and Labour Ong Teng Cheong cites the need to have good managers and good workers who can communicate among themselves, develop rapport and promote team spirit in their companies. On the Trade Disputes Act, he explains that amendments to the Act in 1968 have made certain types of strikes illegal. He feels that there are better ways of settling disputes than through strikes. The Minister says that some house unions are bigger than industrial unions. He sees the need for these unions to have capable leaders. Asked about incentives to encourage employers to employ those who retire after 55, he feels that given the tight labour situation, there is no need for such incentives. Civil servants retire at 60 with optional retirement at 55. They will be paid their full CPF by the government. The private sector should follow the example of the government. If the company requires such people to continue to work with or without CPF contributions, they can employ them. Mr. Ong notes that the use of CPF Funds for education for children can be considered at a later stage. As of now, people do not have enough savings to pay for their HDB flats. He hopes that CPF savings can help the lower income group to own homes. He thinks that tripartism helps to promote teamwork and create an industrial climate to resolve trade disputes amicably before they blow up into serious disputes. Also, company welfare schemes will help workers to identify with the company.