I want to first of all applaud the civil service for being forward looking, and adopting very progressive practices in the re-employment of older workers.
The civil service initiated discussions with the NTUC and the unions immediately after the Tripartite Guidelines were announced, and it also brought forward the implementation date to July 2011, instead of waiting until January next year when the re-employment law kicks in. I want to applaud the PSD also for agreeing with the union not to cut wages of its employees by 10 per cent at 60 years, in recognition of older employees value to the public service.
I urge the private sector to follow the public sector's lead instead of waiting for the law to come into effect next year, and not to cut wages at 60 years. There is much that the private sector can learn from the public sector, including how to prepare the older workers for their re-employment and putting a system in place even before someone reaches 62 years.
I would like to ask the Prime Minister for an update on the re-employment efforts in the civil service. How many have been re-employed after reaching 62 years of age? What adjustments were made to their wages and other benefits? How many were offered the EAP or employment adjustment payment?
Thank you.
