UNFAIR DISMISSAL OF CAPTAIN RABINDER SINGH

17 Feb 1994

        I wish to express my sympathies to Captain Rabinder Singh, 
former assistant dockmaster at Sembawang Shipyard, who is in a 
predicament due to the loss of his job and employment pass. His letter 
(Stolt Spur blaze similar - was lesson forgotten? ST,16 Feb) was a 
public-spirited act that called on those responsible not to forget the 
lessons from earlier tragedies.
        I am indignant at the unseemly haste whereby Captain Singh 
was fired. Sembawang is nothing if not efficient! Apparently, protecting 
relations with Jurong Shipyard and its own image was of such concern 
to Sembawang that it was willing to commit the injustice of wrongful 
dismissal. Was firing Captain Singh meant as a warning to potential 
whistleblowers?
        The response of Captain Singh's union, the Sembawang 
Shipyard Employee's Union, to this gross injustice was, to put it mildly, 
inadequate. It seemed more interested in putting management in a good 
light than in securing for Captain Singh a fair settlement.
        Sembawang should present a convincing case for dismissing 
Captain Singh, or else it should reinstate and compensate him for 
wrongful dismissal. Those responsible for firing him precipitately 
should be humble enough to admit that they have over-reacted and be 
honourable enough to apologise.
        The Straits Times, having inadvertently triggered off this 
incident, could play the important role of ensuring that Sembawang 
does not get off the hook through corporate silence and public 
forgetfulness. Please do so.