Singpore's Public Sector is targeting to put in place service-wide reemployment schemes and policies for older workers within the next three years, well before the 2012 reemployment legislation kicks in.

This was announced by Defence Minister and Minister-in-charge of Civil Service Teo Chee Hean in Parliament on Monday.

The reemployment legislation requires all employers to offer their staff reemployment once they turn age 62.

Growing number of older workers employed in civil service
Currently, the average number of civil servants recruited who are in their 40s in the last three years is 270, while the average number of those above 50 years old is 207.

This represents about six per cent and four per cent of the annual recruitment- which means that 10 per cent of new hires in the civil service last year were aged above 40 years old.

The average reemployment rate for the civil service at age 62 years has also gone up in the last three years, from 22 per cent for 2004, 25 per cent for 2005, and 53 per cent for 2006.

For the statutory boards, the reemployment rate is even higher at 83 per cent in 2004, 70 per cent for 2005, and 96 per cent for 2006.

Based on data from the Ministry of Manpower, the national resident employment rate for workers aged between 62 and 64 in the last three years has also gone up, from 34 per cent in 2004, to 42 per cent last year.

Amending reemployment policies
Mr Teo said in Parliament on Monday that the public sector has already taken several steps to facilitate reemployment of retired employees. This includes amending its reemployment policy in September last year.

Government agencies are encouraged to offer reemployment to retiring officers, particularly those who have performed well and who can continue to add value to the organisation.

Open recruitment exercises have also been done away with, as long as the agency reemploys its retired officer within six months from his retirement.

Pay and remuneration
The renumeration package of older officers has been aligned to match tripartite guidelines for the reemployment of older workers above 62.

In terms of pay, reemployed officers will be paid based on their job scope and responsibility they are given when they are reemployed.

Job flexibilty
Officers can be rehired on flexible work arrangements including part-time work, or jobs on a project-basis.

For example, the Education Ministry currently employs adjunct teachers aged 62 and above that have a choice on what they can teach, and for their period of work.

Inconsistent efforts across agencies
While efforts have been taken to effectively implement these reemployment policies and schemes, Mr Teo admitted that it has not been consistent across all ministries and stat boards.

'There are some agencies and ministries which are more active and provide more opportunities,' he said.

Going forward, Mr Teo said he would like the Public Service Division and the Unions to work closely with MP for Jurong GRC and Assistant Secretary-General Madam Halimah Yacob to improve this process.

But he said stressed that reemployment was a two-way process, and that employees will also have to 'actively make themselves more employable and to also perform well, not just sit back with the expectation that at the age of 62', just because they would be offered reemployment.

'So it requires a matching from both ends as well,' he said.