TNAG-0125-FCO40-161-Labour-force-working-conditions-1969 — Page 49

____43/€

2

to take four rest days a month if they wish, but will also extend this benefit to all those in continuous employment who come within the orbit of the Employment Ordinance. It is hoped to consult the Executive Council later this month and to enact this legislation before the end of this year.

5.

A statutory weekly pay period would not appear to be practicable for the reasons stated in the note prepared by the Labour Adviser (Labour Legislation), which I attach.

6.

There is some doubt as to whether it would be practicable to try to force an employer to report his failure to pay wages, but the problem is still being examined. Whatever the outcome, it is felt that there may be merit in enacting legislation along the lines of section 13(1) of the Singapore Employment Act, 1968. This would provide that a contract is deemed to be broken by an employer if he fails to pay wages by the due date or within such period as is permitted.

7.

Legislation has been drafted which will raise from $3,000 to $6,000 the amount of wages which is given priority under the Bankruptcy and Companies Ordinances and I am at present considering giving priority over fixed charge debenture holders to six weeks' arrears of wages or $2,250, whichever is less. Concurrently, legislation is being drafted, or drafting instructions are being prepared for legislation, which will :-

8.

(i)

(ii)

permit the establishment of labour courts (sections 144 to 154 of the Singapore Employment Act, 1968);

make a principal contractor liable for the wage debts of any sub-contractors which he employs (sections 64 and 65 of the Singapore Employment Act, 1968). This will in all probability have to be restricted to the construction industry, and to contractors for labour in the first instance. It has already been agreed that any money owing by Government to a Public Works Department contractor should be utilized to pay the contractor's wage debts and the wage debts of his sub-contractors.

The standard contract is at present being re-drafted;

(iii) give protection to apprentices and encourage

industry to provide acceptable apprenticeship training schemes.

Other items of legislation which have already been drafted,

and which are now under detailed study, will

(i)

empower a magistrate to issue a warrant to prevent an employer who owes wages from absconding (section 151 of the Singapore Employment Act, 1968);

(ii) make it an offence for anyone to employ or

continue to employ a person without intending to pay, or without reasonable grounds for believing that he can pay, wages as they become payable (section 49 of the Lesotho Employment Act, 1967);

/(iii)