 Industries need to study various ways to re—employ older workers: Gan
This is something Minister of State for Manpower Gan Kim Yong says can be further studied by other industries.
The Singapore Food Industries says it re—employs more than 90% of its workers who turn 62.
One of them is 65—year—old Mohamad Sharif.
He has no qualms about working beyond the retirement age of 62.
He said: "We are fit. In fact, we can always follow up on courses. The company allows you to take up courses."
In fact, he is currently pursuing a double degree programme at the Singapore Management University.
Mr Mohamad Sharif is not the only one. About 30 percent of the workers at the Singapore Food Industries are 55 years old and above.
Here, workers who are re—employed after the age of 62 take a 10 percent cut in their salary in line with their re—designed job scope.
Minister of State Mr Gan said that industries need to study various approaches to re—employ older workers but the wages should reflect the job’s worth.
He said: "It must make economic sense to the employers and it must also be sufficient and reasonable to motivate the workers to work. So it’s an issue employers and employees have to sit down and work through."
Over the next year, the Tripartite Committee on Employability of Older Workers will come up with guidelines on restructuring wages for those above 62 years old, before the government introduces the re—employment legislation by January 2012. — CNA/ir | 
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