BACKGROUND--SINGAPORE LABOR STRIFE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79R00890A000600010034-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 10, 2002
• Sequence Number: 34
• Publication Date: June 15, 1955
• Content Type: BRIEF

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I. "Sympathy" strikes in Singapore, accom-
panied by some violence, got underway
13 June (exactly one month after serious
Communist-directed riots in May).
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A. strikes t4 involve 15-30,000
manual and transportation workers,
although strike leaders had hopes for
(and continue to claim) a general
pwork-stoppa e.C70,oQc> o-r .,...01
Immediate rigger was arrest (12 June)
of six suspected Communists, five of
whom were union leaders.
Actually, strike had been in making for
some time, as one-day demonstration
Aupporting wage negotiations in progr
between 1,300 civil service clerks
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7 weeks, and negotiations are now
deadlocked on question of back-
dating agreed salary schedule.
2. Harbor union involved is a moderate
one, affiliated with moderate
Singapore Trades Union Council
(TUC) . V
D. Leaders of "sympathy" strike now say
it will continue until release of six
arrested.
1. Communist-directed students, who
were "activists" in May riots,
quiet to date.
II. "Sympathy" strikes engineered by far-left
People's Action Party (PAP), which active
in labor f ieid .
A., Altbou#h PAP disavows Communis*, it hav
asst fated ita With Communist 'Party
l h r, i. 9n a lsi~,
thti tight
Pitt "il.g Comrnuut At "el` o t5
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appears to be successfully manipu-
lating PAP.
III. Trade unionism accounts for only 76,000 o
Singapore's estimated working force of
250,000 (80% Chinese).
A. Approximately half of 76,000 governmef
4
employed: 25,000 in moderate Singapore
Trades Union Councio, 7,000 in unions
controlled by PAP, after this, field
is open.
B. PAP has strategic position among
public transport, education, and civil
aviation workers.
1. PAP may increase its influence
among navy base and harbor employe"
as result "sympathy" strike.
25X1
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V.. Commbwist subversion and unrest
Sing.pore, principally affecting students
and trade unionists, expected to increase.
A. Subversion receives chief emphasis in
Malayan Communist directives.
B. Communists proved in May they can
create trouble whenever they wish.
C. Morale of anti-Communists in Singapore
has suffered severely during past
month.
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