Workers Rights in Singapore

Dr. Chee Soon Juan

As the secretary general of the opposition Singapore Democratic Party, Dr. Chee Soon Juan is a prominent advocate in Singapore for fair conditions of labor, including adequate wages, severance entitlements and job security. He has strongly and consistently criticized the government’s repressive policies as a disincentive for foreign investors, as well as being anathema to democratic values.

The Singaporean government has responded by using its extensive repressive powers to silence Dr. Chee. He has been ordered to pay considerable damages in what appear to be politically motivated libel suits brought by the government. In August 2002 a Singapore court, without trial, found Dr. Chee guilty of defamation of Singapore’s present and former prime ministers after he had raised questions during the general elections in November 2001 about secret Singapore government loans to former Indonesian President Suharto. In 2002 he was prohibited from seeking election to parliament for five years for flouting a ban on openly debating religious issues. He was also jailed for five weeks in October 2002 (the third prison term he has served) for holding a peaceful May Day rally in support of basic human rights for workers worldwide without a government permit.

Human Rights First has expressed concern over the treatment of Dr. Chee and the restrictive laws used to stifle peaceful dissent in Singapore. It has called upon the government of Singapore to ensure that he and other human rights advocates are able to fully exercise their rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly.