Deadline to raise re-employment age a good move: NTUC deputy sec-gen

SINGAPORE - National Trade Union Congress deputy secretary general Mr Heng Chee How said that it was a good move by the government to set a deadline of 2017 for raising the re-employment age ceiling.

In a post on his Facebook page, Mr Heng said that the labour movement had been "pushing vigorously with the Tripartite Partners to raise this ceiling".

Currently, firms are required by the law to offer re-employment to eligible workers when they turn 62, up to the age of 65.

It was previously reported that changes in the law to raise the re-employment age to 67 will kick in only two to three years from now.

Manpower Minister Mr Tan Chuan-Jin said that the government opted to give time to companies because forcing them to do so immediately may end up backfiring.

In his post, Mr Heng urged employers to take the necessary steps to re-employ their workers beyond 65.

"I also urge the government to do its utmost to incentivize employers to do so, not only in wage cost but also in job redesign, skills updating and health maintenance, and to encourage older workers to continue contributing their efforts and experience," he wrote.

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