Amidst an ageing population and changing workforce demographics in Singapore, the needs of our current and future mature workforce requires greater attention. While there has been progress in terms of legislation and enhanced support for companies, more can be done to advance workplace practices that are fair for our mature workers and ensure their welfare is well taken care of.
Five years since the implementation of the Retirement and Re-employment Act, the Labour Movement has made the following observations:
• Majority of unionised companies re-employ without adjusting salaries and benefits.
• Some unionised companies have now either put in place retirement ages beyond the mandatory age of 62, or did not stipulate any retirement age in their employment contracts. Such companies include Singapore American School, Novotel Clarke Quay Singapore, ComfortDelGro Group and Bukit Timah Saddle Club.
• There are some companies, in accordance to the Tripartite Guidelines on the Re-Employment of Older Employees, who will make adjustments to the benefits that workers receive. For example, workers may be impacted by having their annual leave or medical benefits reduced.
Progressive practices by Gardens by the Bay
Earlier today, NTUC Secretary-General (SG) Ng Chee Meng visited Gardens by the Bay (Gardens), a unionised company under the Attractions, Resorts & Entertainment Union. Testament to being a progressive company that truly values mature workers, Gardens will raise the retirement age beyond the mandatory age of 62 to 65, effective 1 January 2019. This initiative by Gardens has the full support and partnership of AREU, and the commitment was sealed during the visit via the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) witnessed by NTUC SG Ng Chee Meng. Mr Khin Maung Soe, aged 61, horticulturist, is one example of a staff member who will benefit from this MOU when he turns 62 next year.
Besides raising the retirement age, Gardens also adopts an age-friendly hiring policy. In addition to raising the retirement age, they have also re-employed Mr Law Moi Hwa, aged 67, Manager (Gardens Operations) and master orchid breeder, who has been in their employment since 2011. They have even hired Mr John Loh, 78, five years ago as a procurement officer.
NTUC SG Ng Chee Meng emphasised, “Many of our older workers still 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 raise their company’s retirement age, like Gardens by the Bay. Older workers here can continue working up to 65 years old 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.”
Looking ahead
NTUC welcomes such practices as adopted by Gardens. On re-employment practices, to better safeguard the interests of mature workers, NTUC will be working with the Tripartite Workgroup on Older Workers to develop clearer guidelines with regard to adjustments to employment terms of re-employed workers. NTUC hopes that these clearer guidelines will work to the benefit of both re-employed workers and their employers.
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