Skip to main content
 
About us
Search

Ongoing efforts to help older workers get re-employed

Employment practices
  • The Sunday Times (11 April 2010) : Ongoing efforts to help older workers get re-employed
  • The Sunday Times (28 March 2010) : More needs to be done for older workers now
Ongoing efforts to help older workers get re-employed 
- The Sunday Times, 11 April 2010

We refer to Ms Jeniffer De Souza's letter, "More needs to be done for Older Workers now" (SuT, 28 March 2010).

2.   Re-employment legislation is slated to come into force by 2012 to allow employers to put in place systems and processes for re-employment. Employers will need systems to identify eligible workers, including implementing performance appraisal systems to assess workers, conduct pre-retirement planning and re-employment consultations, as well as develop mechanisms to identify suitable jobs on appropriate terms for re-employed workers. Workers will also need time to discuss re-employment options with employers and make adjustments, including training, where necessary.

3.   Part of the preparation includes adherence to the Tripartite Guidelines on Re-employment of Older Employees (which was released in March 2010) to help businesses and employees be re-employment ready. Many employers have responded positively to the Guidelines. More than 800 unionised companies have already implemented some form of re-employment policies and practices. Preliminary findings from a 2009 survey by MOM show that nearly two-thirds (64%) of companies surveyed already allow their workers to continue working past age 62. Companies can also tap on the ADVANTAGE! Scheme to prepare for re-employment. Since its introduction in 2005, over 1,300 companies have signed up for the programme. They have committed to recruit nearly 5,400 and re-employ almost 9,500 older employees.

4.   Re-employment will help workers aged 62 to 65 years to remain employed. To better assist all mature jobseekers, including those below age 62, MOM, WDA and the unions have been working closely with companies to help them find suitable jobs. We have enhanced the job matching capabilities of the Career Centres at the Community Development Councils (CDCs) and the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) by building up a comprehensive job bank. Career consultants at the CDCs will also help to facilitate job placement by providing advice to workers on training and career opportunities available. Mature jobseekers can approach any of the CDCs or e2i for assistance if they experience difficulties looking for a job.

5.  Our colleagues from the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) have since gotten in touch with Ms De Souza to understand her employment needs. We are glad to know Ms De Souza has found a job, and has started work on 31 March 2010. 

6.   MOM will continue to step up efforts to encourage employers to offer older workers re-employment.
More needs to be done for older workers now
- The Sunday Times, 28 March 2010

I read with interest the article, 'More help for low-skilled workers' (March 12), on measures being put in place to help low-skilled workers to upgrade and upskill, but when will these come into effect?I have sent almost 550 copies of my resume to various companies in Singapore but up to now, only five have replied to say that I was unsuccessful in my application. As for the rest, I did not even get the courtesy of a reply.

The Manpower Ministry's website features reports on providing opportunities to older workers by improving their employability and introducing re-employment.
And the article, 'Severance pay for retirement-age workers' (March 12), reported that a law will be passed by 2012 for the re-employment of workers up to the age of 65, and later, up to 67. Why wait? Why not act on it right away?

Re-employment allows able older workers to continue contributing to their companies. It provides flexibility to employers and helps them retain older workers, and to continue to tap their experience. A higher employment rate for older workers also benefits our economy by providing much-needed manpower resources.

The plight faced by older workers in getting or retaining jobs is a current problem but we have to wait for 2012 for legislation to be passed. Meanwhile, we are facing financial difficulties trying to make ends meet. The tripartite partners have been working closely over the last two years to help companies and workers institute re-employment as early as possible.

Why is it then that I've been unsuccessful in my job quest? The government sector may be taking some action now but what about the private sector? Is it sincere in helping older workers, or is it waiting for legislation to compel it to move in that direction? I hope there will be more job fairs catering to those above the age of 45 because they need all the help they can get to secure jobs.

At the age of 48, I need a job and live in fear of getting legal letters from agencies - for example, the HDB, town council and Singapore Power - for non-payment of various bills.
How am I to keep going until 2012, and what if I still fail to get a job even after legislation is passed?