SINGAPORE: The labour movement hopes to implement the law that seeks to get older workers re—employed, well ahead of the government’s 2012 target.
This was revealed by Labour Chief Lim Swee Say at the Singapore Tripartism Forum on Employment and Employability Challenges on Thursday and he urged the non—unionised sector not to be caught unprepared.
At the forum, the government was questioned as to why it needed at least four years to put in place the proposed law on the re—employment of older workers.
In response, Mr Lim said it takes time to change Singaporeans’ mindset that they need to be re—employed when they reach the retirement age of 62 because they may not be holding the same job at the same salary.
But so far, 433 unionised organisations have already adopted NTUC’s advisory on re—employment of older workers when they reach the retirement age of 62 in 2012. And the NTUC is confident of hitting its target of raising this number to 600, or 60 per cent of its membership by the end of 2008.
By next year, NTUC’s advisory will become guidelines for its tripartite partners and come 2010, the partners will be looking at translating the guidelines into law.
Mr Lim who is also Secretary—General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), said: "In 2010, the tripartite partners will sit down to draw on what we’ve gone through these two years (and) talk about translating these guidelines into legislation.
"Once the legislation becomes law, the workers, unions, employers will have no choice but to adopt this legislation.
"And our concern is if we do not go through this learning curve together — in 2008, 2009, 2010 — by the time the law comes into effect, those of you who do not follow the advisory guidelines and get yourselves ready will be in serious trouble."
The new Acting Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong supported the push for the non—unionised sector to adopt NTUC’s advisory.
He said: "We shouldn’t wait for 2012, we shouldn’t wait for legislation. With that advisory, at least draw up guidelines on what re—employment is about and provide some guidance as to how re—employment can be implemented.
"Companies and employees should now take this advisory and try to implement it. Through this implementation, and trials and errors, it’s part of the journey.
"Hopefully, over the next one to two years, we’ll be able to refine the advisory, the guidelines, and eventually we’ll be able to put it into law that’s practical and to be implemented in force."
In response, the Singapore National Employers’ Federation (SNEF) which has 2,000 members said it aims to have half of its members, or 1,000 companies, adopt the re—employment policy advisory by the end of 2011.
The SNEF is also working with the Singapore Business Federation, which has 15,000 members, so that more companies can rehire older workers.
The ministers also agree with former Manpower Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen that while the government can set the pre—conditions for stability and economic growth to help Singaporeans stay employed and move up the salary scale, the best protection for Singapore workers is their own skills.
That is why the government has committed to spend S$400 million a year in training and providing more opportunities through the Continuing Education and Training Masterplan announced in February by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
The government is also looking at enhancing the Workfare for older workers. As for the disadvantaged, like the disabled and ex—offenders, they also get help through re—distribution of budget surpluses.
Dr Ng revealed that since 2001, the government has given out more than S$14 billion to Singaporeans through programmes like the GST Offset Package, Progress Package and other special transfers. — CNA/vm
Source:
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/2008041...7-231650b.html 
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NTUC aims to implement re—employment law ahead of 2012 target 
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