“We will continue to give our support to these workers, as we look to push to give them the additional option to those who wish to continue working till 67,” says NTUC DSG Heng Chee How
The Labour Movement will support all mature workers as they look to push the reemployment age up from 65 to 67. One of the misconceptions highlighted during NTUC Deputy Secretary-General (DSG) Heng Chee How’s radio interview with DJ Huang Shu Jun on Capital 95.8FM on 9 June 2015 was that mature workers could only now retire at the age of 67. DSG Heng clarified the move now means that mature workers have more flexible work options. Workers can choose not to be reemployed and enjoy their retirement, but there are workers, he explained, who feel they are fit enough to continue working. “Hiring mature workers is very beneficial to companies. The experience that they bring to the industry is invaluable,” he said. Currently, under the Retirement and Re-employment Act (RRA), the minimum retirement age is 62, with all employers required to offer reemployment to eligible employees to continue their employment in the organisation up to the age of 65.
WORKERS’ CONCERNS On the Mandarin talkshow, listeners were invited to call in to voice their concerns and ask DSG Heng questions regarding the matter. One of the callers was a male in his sixties whose company stopped offering reemployment to workers who reach the age of 65. They were told by the company that the law states that no reemployment can be offered beyond 65. DSG Heng clarified that while there is no law that stipulates a company is required to reemploy workers beyond 65, the reason offered by the company was incorrect. He also highlighted how many companies offer reemployment to workers past 65, due to the value they bring in terms of experience.
RE-EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY Another caller was a 62-year-old female who had undergone an operation the year before. As a result of her hospitalisation, her employer adjudged her performance to be poor despite doctors declaring her to be fully recovered and medically fit. During the call, she expressed her disappointment at their decision not to offer her reemployment and felt it was unfair. According to the RRA, mature workers are eligible for reemployment if they are assessed by the employer to have at least satisfactory work performance and are medically fit to continue working. DSG Heng said there may be employers who try to find loopholes in the system, but promised the caller that her case will be investigated if she approached her union to help her with the necessary procedures. For workers who are not union members, he advised them to approach the Ministry of Manpower to assist them.
MOVING FORWARD DSG Heng acknowledged that one of the major problems the workforce is facing is an ageing population, and that giving these mature workers the option to continue working is important. In light of that and factoring in the current tight labour market, the Labour Movement will continue to push for the increase of the reemployment age to 67.
Source: This article first appear on NTUC Thisweek Magazine.
