SINGAPORE — A new law to legislate the re-employment of older workers up to the age of 67 will be introduced by 2017, said Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin.
In an interview with the media, Mr Tan said the transition time is to allow markets and businesses to adjust.
The announcement comes months after the Government accepted recommendations from a tripartite committee to introduce incentives for employers who do so voluntarily ahead of legislative changes.
In October, the Public Service announced it would take the lead to formalise arrangements to offer re-employment to all eligible officers till the age of 67. Details on the incentives are expected early next year.
Mr Tan said the transition this time is considerably shorter than the five to six years taken when the law was first introduced to re-employ workers beyond the age of 62 to 65.
The law took effect in 2012, but the legislation and timeline were announced in 2007, giving firms several years to prepare.
Talks are under way with the union and employers to get them ready. Some firms here previously expressed that they need time to redesign jobs, change work processes and automate some operations to cater for older employees requiring flexible hours and less physically demanding jobs.
Existing incentives to encourage the employment of older workers include WorkPro funding to help employers recruit, train and retain mature workers and Singaporeans going back to work.
The employment rate for older workers has steadily increased over the years, from 57 per cent in 2009 to 65 per cent last year.
Last year, 99 per cent of private-sector local employees who turned 62 were offered re-employment.
news source & image credits: todayonline.com
