Debated in Parliament on 9 Jan 2018.
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Transport whether the Government can assist Singapore-based vessel-owning companies as well as foreign-based shipping companies employing Singaporeans to comply with social security protection requirements for all crew members serving onboard their ships as required by the Maritime Labour Convention 2006.
Minister, you only have three minutes.
I shall be quick. Singapore is committed to protecting the well-being of seafarers. In 2011, Singapore was the first country in Asia to ratify the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), which is a comprehensive global labour instrument adopted by the International Labour Organization to provide for the rights and protection of seafarers working onboard vessels.
Our legislation provides for medical care, employment injury and invalidity benefits for all seafarers, Singaporeans or otherwise, employed on Singapore-flagged vessels.
In addition, Singaporean seafarers who enter into employment in Singapore and their employers are generally required to make CPF contributions for the seafarers' retirement needs, regardless of whether they are working on Singapore or foreign-flagged vessels. Singaporean seafarers who are employed by Singapore-based companies are also entitled to compensation for injuries sustained in the course of their work.
The Government will continue to work with our tripartite partners to ensure that Singaporean seafarers are accorded the social security protection provided for under the MLC.
Thank you, Minister, for the concise reply. Order, end of question time.
[Pursuant to Standing Order No 22(3), provided that Members had not asked for questions standing in their names to be postponed to a later Sitting day or withdrawn, written answers to questions not reached by the end of Question Time are reproduced in the Appendix.]
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