SINGAPORE companies must start stepping up their efforts to create jobs for their older workers as the number of baby boomers start swelling in the coming years.

They should prepare for this growing graying workforce and not 'leave it till the last moment or hope to arrive ship-shape by muddling through', said Mr Heng Chee How, MP for Jalan Besair GRC, who is also deputy secretary-general of NTUC, on Wednesday.

Speaking during the debate on President SR Nathan's address in Parliament, Mr Heng stressed that efforts to re-employ older workers must not slacken, even in the face of the downturn - or else Singapore will face a growing pool of 'financially strapped old citizens'.

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