The Straits Times / The Business Times News on Best World

Valuing wisdom and experience

Jun 18, 2007
The Business Times

Are organisations doing enough to help older workers continue working? What more needs to be done to ensure a win-win situation for both employers and workers?

Companies can still do more

AS a result of rapid population ageing, we would soon face a risk of slower economic growth and serious labour shortages over the next few decades. These problems will be magnified unless there is a significant reversal in the trend towards early retirement. While attitudes of policy makers towards older workers have been changing, attitudes of employers and employees appear to be changing very slowly.

By giving the older workers more opportunities to remain longer in the workforce, both older workers and society will benefit. We should continue to reform our employment policies and workplace practices to encourage and assist older workers to work longer. Therefore, we should promote an age-friendly environment in companies; expand training opportunities; strengthen requirements for the older unemployed to actively seek work; increase participation of older job seekers and provide more assistance to older job seekers.

Dora Hoan
Group CEO
Best World International Ltd