THE Economic Strategies Committee has stressed the importance of raising productivity in Singapore.

We used to treasure older workers and rewarded them based on their performance, which was tied in with their productivity.

However, over the last 10 to 15 years, this is no longer the case. We adopted the Western principle of "hire and fire" with staff, relied on more contract workers to cut costs, and began employing based on paper qualifications.

As a result, more workers aged above 50 are unemployed.

Perhaps the old ways had their advantages.

We should study productive countries in Asia and the West and adopt whatever works for us, instead of reinventing the wheel.

MR DAVID SOH POH HUAT

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