(SINGAPORE) An employment target of 65 per cent for workers aged 55-64 - which has already been achieved by developed countries like Japan and Sweden - is 'not too bold' for Singapore, said Lim Boon Heng, former NTUC secretary general and Minister in the Prime Minister's Office.
May Day tribute: Mr Lim Boon Heng (right) being presented with the Distinguished Comrade of Labour award yesterday. With him are labour chief Mr Lim Swee Say (far left) and Mr John De Payva, NTUC president
But this would need, among other things, changes in employer mindsets and the readiness of workers to make job changes.
Speaking at the traditional May Day dinner last night, Mr Lim noted that currently for older workers in Singapore, the employment rate drops sharply from around 80 per cent for those below 55 years to just above 60 per cent for those aged 55-59, and even more sharply down to about 42 per cent for those between 60-64.
One of the causes is retrenchment, as companies restructure in response to market changes. A related problem is the difficulty faced by workers who remain unemployed for a long time in finding jobs.
He indicated that the NTUC 'is on the right track with skills redevelopment and job redesign.' But while the feedback from the first course, run by the Centre For Seniors, is 'very encouraging', in that it showed workers are more willing to consider job changes, 'these are early days yet,' he said.
'We have to keep close track of how the programme works out on the ground, whether people do get re-employed.'
Older workers will be challenged, he added. 'They will have to go for retraining. Some of them want to work part-time, but often those jobs are less interesting, and may not pay as well. They will also have to be prepared for the boss to be 10 to 30 years younger than themselves.'
Mr Lim, who was awarded the highest May Day award, the Distinguished Comrade of Labour, suggested that managements too, will need to change their mindsets. 'Are they ready to employ older workers? Are they prepared with HR policies that will successfully integrate the older worker? What job processes have to be changed to get maximum productivity from the older worker? What training programmes suited for older workers are there? Are the younger employees prepared for older workers?'
He acknowledged however that 'it is not easy to change an organisation focused on youth to one that accepts and makes the best use of senior workers.'
But he pointed out that employers 'will be pressured by necessity' to employ older workers, noting that there are reports of worker shortages in many countries, including China, India, Vietnam and Central Europe. The same is happening in Singapore, he said, noting that shipyards have been re-employing their retirees and banks offer jobs to those who were retrenched in the 1990s.
Mr Lim also suggested that more needed to be done for female workers. Their employment rate shows a sharp drop beyond 30 years when they traditionally stop work to start a family. Changes in the market then make it difficult for them to re-enter the workforce. The answer is to help younger women stay in the workforce longer, because getting them to come back can be difficult, he reiterated.
The labour movement kicked off its May Day festivities at a gala dinner at Suntec City Convention Hall for 1,600 tripartite guests paying tribute to 57 individuals and companies who have made significant contributions.
Apart from Mr Lim, among those who picked up awards were former SingTel chief executive Lee Hsien Yang and NTUC Choice Homes chairman Ng Ser Miang.
Mr Lee was cited for the medal of commendation (gold) award for working closely with the union to face the impact of the changes brought about by the telecoms market liberalisation and privatisation in the 1990s. Mr Ng was given the meritorious service award for leading the NTUC Choice Homes cooperative from its infancy and thus helping Singaporeans meet their aspirations of owning private properties.
