Tripartite Partners Launch Re-Employment Portal and Guide to Help Employers Implement Re-Employment Ahead of Legislation
The Tripartite Implementation Workgroup (TIWG) has launched a new internet portal and guide to help employers and employees get started on re-employment before legislation is enacted by 2012. The internet portal – www.re-employment.sg – serves as a one-stop information and resource centre for employers and employees on re-employment. The guide, entitled "Are You Ready for Re-employment Legislation?" explains the principles underlying the recommendations of the Tripartite Advisory on the Re-employment of Older Workers, released by the TIWG in April 2008, and addresses frequently-asked-questions on the Advisory.
2. The web portal provides employers and employees with practical information and guidance on how they can adopt re-employment. It features case studies of companies that have successfully implemented re-employment, lists seminars and workshops on re-employment and provides information on assistance programmes for companies that may require additional resources to implement re-employment. Employees can find out how to upgrade their skills and prepare themselves for re-employment.
3. The portal also lists the workforce age profiles of over 250 companies from sectors such as hotels and restaurants, manufacturing and wholesale and retail trade. These companies have voluntarily posted their workforce age profiles on the portal in support of age-friendly and fair employment practices. The tripartite partners encourage employers who have not done so to make similar postings on the website.
4. At the launch event today, Chairman of the TIWG and Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) council member, Mr Alexander Melchers, reported that the response from employers and unions to the Advisory has been very encouraging. He also noted that many employers could be considered pacesetters in terms of recognising the business case for retaining and employing older workers, by publicly sharing their age profiles and/or endorsing the Advisory.
5. Employers who require funding assistance to implement re-employment can approach Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) for information on the ADVANTAGE! scheme. Employers interested to learn more about putting in place a re-employment policy in their company, or who wish to provide feedback on the Advisory, can email SNEF at beyond62@snef.org.sg, NTUC at ongst@ntuc.org.sg, or MOM at mom_lrd@mom.gov.sg. Employees who wish to upgrade their skills can also approach WDA or NTUC.
Annex A
Tripartite Implementation Workgroup
Background
The TIWG was set up in October 2007 under the Tripartite Committee on Employability of Older Workers, to focus on implementation issues of re-employment, and to help companies and the industry to adopt re-employment early. The TIWG is led by Mr Alexander Melchers (Singapore National Employers Federation) and comprises representatives from the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (ASME), SNEF, Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), Public Service Division (PSD) and Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
Members
Chairperson
Mr Alexander Melchers
Council Member, Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) & Secretary, Singaporean German Chamber of Industry & Commerce (SGC)
Employers' Representatives
Mr Koh Juan Kiat - Executive Director, Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF)
Ms Geraldine Lee - Industrial Relations Panel Chairperson of Healthcare and Business Services Group, SNEF
Ms Stephanie Cheo - VP of Communications, Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (ASME)
Mrs Tan Poh Hong - Director (Group Human Resources), Keppel Corporation Limited Union Representatives
Ms Cham Hui Fong - Director, Industrial Relations Department, NTUC
Mr Terry Lee - President, Singapore Insurance Employees' Union
Mr Lim Kuang Beng - General Secretary, Singapore Industrial and Services Employees' Union
Mr Ang Hin Kee - Director, Employability Enhancement Department, NTUC
Public Service Division Representative
Ms Goh Soon Poh - Deputy Secretary (Policy), Public Service Division
Government Representatives
Mr Aubeck Kam - Deputy Secretary, MOM
Mr Ong Ye Kung - Chief Executive, WDA
Mr Ong Yen Her - Divisional Director, Labour Relations and Workplaces Division, MOM
Mr Ng Cher Pong - Divisional Director, Workplace Policy and Strategy Division, MOM