Gardens by the Bay is the latest unionised company to increase the retirement age beyond the current legislated age of 62 to 65.
The organisation joins the ranks of unionised companies that either do not stipulate a retirement age in employment contracts or have increased it beyond 62.
The deal for mature workers was sealed in a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Attractions, Resorts & Entertainment Union (AREU) on 25 July 2018 and will take effect from 2019.
The MOU was witnessed by NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng, who also paid a visit to Gardens by the Bay’s mature workers.
Mr Ng said: “Many of our older workers want to continue working whilst they still can. They have experience and are valuable assets. Employers should value and re-employ our older workers. I know there are some employers who have raised their company’s retirement age, like Gardens by the Bay. Older workers here can continue working up to age 65 with no change to their employment terms if they are on the same job.
“Where possible, I hope more employers will follow suit so that many of our older workers, outside Gardens by the Bay, can also continue working, earn an income and contribute.”
Valuable Experience
Besides increasing the retirement age, Gardens by the Bay also adopts age-friendly hiring policies such as re-employment.
One re-employed worker is 67-year-old Mr Law Moi Hwa. He joined Gardens by the Bay in 2011 and is a master orchid breeder, with a passion that dates back to the 60s.
Before joining Gardens by the Bay, Mr Law operated his own orchid farm.
He said: “I’m glad that I can continue working and pass my skills and expertise to the younger generation of workers.”
He has also mentored many interns and apprentices at Gardens by the Bay.
Gardens by the Bay also employs new mature workers who are beyond the retirement age. One such example is Mr John Loh, 78 (above, left), who joined the company as a procurement officer five years ago.
A testament to the competence and experience that mature workers can bring to companies, Mr Loh was promoted to the role of procurement manager in 2015 and re-designated as senior procurement manager in 2017.
Looking After Mature Workers
While a majority of unionised companies re-employ without adjusting salaries and benefits, in accordance with the Tripartite Guidelines on the Re-Employment of Older Employees, there are some companies that will make adjustments to the employment benefits that workers receive.
The adjustments include reduction of annual leave and medical benefits. These are particularly important to mature workers, considering their ages and health conditions.
NTUC will be working with the Tripartite Workgroup on Older Workers to develop clearer guidelines regarding adjustments to employment terms of re-employed workers.
The Labour Movement hopes these clearer guidelines will benefit both workers and employers.
