PAP.SG calls for legislation to raise rehiring age for older workers

SINGAPORE - The People's Action Party Seniors Group (PAP.SG) has submitted a position paper to the Ministry of Manpower, calling for legislation to increase the rehiring age for older workers from 65 to 67.

The group said in the paper that legislation is a more effective method than promotional means, which "may not be so effective in the non-unionised sector where the majority of the workers are employed".

"Past legislative changes in the employment of older workers, coupled with the government grants and incentives, have helped older workers aged 55 to 64 years. Their employment rate has increased from 57 per cent in 2009 to 65 per cent in 2013.

"But, as we live longer and enjoy better health, the productive capacity of our older workers can be further enhanced," the paper concluded.

PAP.SG also pressed for reviews on three other issues in the paper: training efficacies of older workers, incentives that reward early movers and disaggregating statistics to enable more focused policy improvements.

In a separate initiative, the group recommended that the PAP Central Executive Committee introduce a life membership scheme for party members who are at least 65 years old and who have served for at least 25 years.

The scheme is aimed at letting these long-serving pioneers know that the party values their contributions and recognises their importance, PAP.SG said.

huizhen@sph.com.sg