Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They
AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e
BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German
Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who
By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Government
Education
Search
Search:
Survey shows 3 in 10 expect to retire at age 65 or older
Channel NewsAsia - Saturday, January 10
SINGAPORE: The first—ever survey on baby boomers in Singapore has shown that just three in 10 expect to retire at 65 years or older.
The current retirement age is 62, but new legislation is pushing for Singaporeans to keep working, at least until 65.
Those surveyed were already working or looking for a job and were asked to specify their desired retirement age.
The survey was commissioned by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS).
In difficult economic times, older workers are often among the first to be retrenched. The Singapore government recognises that this may make its plans to compel firms to re—employ workers aged 62 for another three years difficult.
Acting Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong said: "We need to continue to press on with efforts because it is not an easy task."
"If you go by certain factors, it is possible that you will see a higher percentage of older ones being retrenched. One factor would be skills level. If skills level is lower, therefore productivity is low, then the company might be less competitive," said Mr Lim Boon Heng, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister—in—charge of Aging Issues.
The government hopes flexible wage systems and part—time options will encourage companies to employ older workers and keep them longer.
Stephen Lee, president of Singapore National Employers Federation, said: "When you extend employment opportunities to those 62 and above, the workers themselves would like to work in some alternative fashion rather than eight hours a day, five days a week... and companies which can make their employment and work patterns more flexible, usually find it easy to engage older workers."
But the MCYS survey of baby boomers showed that just 36 per cent of them wished to work part—time. Even then, they listed flexible work and similar income as top conditions for post—retirement work.
But under the new legislation, which kicks in in 2012, employers need not employ older workers at the same job or the same pay.
Mr Gan said: "Wages must reflect their productivity, we want to encourage companies not to undercut the older workers but pay them what is reasonable in accordance to their productivity as well as their performance."
Even before the new legislation comes into place, the government, companies and unions are already pushing for it to be implemented.
But as with any new law, the devil is in the details. Companies will have to redesign job specifications and operations to fit older workers.
— CNA/ir
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: Singapore
Electrical fire in generator room leads to 2—hr blackout in Jurong WestChannel NewsAsia - Saturday, January 10
Two Singaporeans suspected of working for drug syndicate arrestedChannel NewsAsia - Saturday, January 10
Survey shows 3 in 10 expect to retire at age 65 or olderChannel NewsAsia - Saturday, January 10
"One—eyed dragon" hangedChannel NewsAsia - Saturday, January 10
Films Act to be amended to allow factual party political filmsChannel NewsAsia - Saturday, January 10
Enlarge Photo
Survey shows 3 in 10 expect to retire at age 65 or older
Most Popular – Singapore
Viewed
Marks & Spencer to axe 1,230 jobs and close 27 stores
Citigroup: 2-billion-dollar exposure to LyondellBasell
Finance fights sex for Aussie dictionary honour
Israel presses on with Gaza strikes despite UN resolution
Half the planet could be hit by food crisis by 2100: study
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular