Re—employment law sees positive results

SINGAPORE : Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan—Jin has said the results in implementing the re—employment law have been positive on the whole.

In a written parliamentary reply to MP for Aljunied GRC, Chen Show Mao, Mr Tan said an ad—hoc survey found that nearly all or 97 per cent of the retiring cohort in 2011 were offered employment before the age of 62.

The survey conducted in late 2011 found that some 11,500 local employees turned 62 by June 2011, in private establishments with at least 25 employees.

Sixty—six per cent of this cohort were allowed to continue working on their existing contracts, and 31 per cent were offered re—employment under a new contract.

Of those who accepted re—employment in the same job, 17 per cent had their wages adjusted downwards, with a median wage cut of 12 per cent.

Mr Tan said the employment rate of older residents aged 55 to 64 rose from 61.2 per cent in 2011 to 64 per cent in 2012.

Re—employment disputes have also stayed low, with 32 cases received by the Manpower Ministry in 2012.

Mr Tan said that in most of these cases, employees and employers have reached a successful settlement, while the remaining are under conciliation.

He said the government will continue to monitor the employment landscape for older workers with a view to enhancing their employment opportunities.

— CNA/ms