SINGAPORE : Twenty-two companies have said 'yes' to continue
hiring older workers beyond the age of 62.
They were the first to do so after the Workforce Development Agency
(WDA) enhanced the ADVANTAGE! Scheme this June.
This means that 235 older workers will be hired, and 82 others
re-employed when they turn 62.
This update was given by Manpower Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen at his
ministry's National Day Observance Day Ceremony on Tuesday.
He said as Singapore's economy continues to perform well, efforts
to press on with economic restructuring must continue.
The labour market will tighten and there will be a shortage of
skilled manpower globally.
This is where mature workers come in as a valuable source of
manpower.
That's why the government came up with the ADVANTAGE! Scheme -
giving organisations funding to help them increase the
employability of older workers.
"Basically it means that at age of 62, both employer and employee
can find ways to help employees stay within the company but it may
not necessarily be the same job," said the Manpower Minister.
"I'm happy to announce that the ADVANTAGE! Scheme has expanded and
more companies are coming on board, thus far about 20 odd
companies. This idea of re-employment legislation is taking root
and will expand it further as we work with other large
organisations such as Singapore Manufacturers Federation, SCCCI and
various business associations to ramp up these programmes," he
added. - CNA /ls
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