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NTUC leads way by giving workers' age profile
Goh Chin Lian Tue, Nov 20, 2007 The Straits Times
HOPING to lead by example, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) yesterday published a breakdown of the ages of its workers totalling about 10,000. The figures may not be ideal, but NTUC deputy secretary-general Heng Chee How hopes the move will prompt companies, especially the bigger ones, to do the same. And, in the process of doing so, they will adopt more age-friendly hiring practices as Singapore faces a rapidly ageing population. The Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) said yesterday at least five organisations have indicated they will follow in NTUC's footsteps.

The age profile of NTUC's workers published on its website shows the proportion of older workers - 60 and above - it employs is below the national level.

The average age of its 10,521 workers is 42.Workers aged 50 to 54 make up 17.5 per cent of its total workforce of 10,521 workers while the national level is 11.

The proportion of workers aged 60 and older is even smaller: 4 per cent compared to 6 per cent nationally.

'We are not saying that we have the ideal or best possible age distribution,'' Mr Heng told some 300 employers, unionists and government officials at the Singapore Tripartism Forum, to discuss employment issues.

Later, he told reporters that NTUC and its cooperatives will study what more can be done to hire older workers, but did not give details.

The workers are employed by its nine cooperatives, including supermarket chain FairPrice and insurer NTUC Income, as well as four other units, including its leisure arm NTUC Club.

NTUC secretary-general Lim Swee Say first made the call for disclosure in September, after noting that several companies did not hire workers above 50 years old to avoid rehiring them when they turn 62.

He did not identify the errant employers.

Yesterday, Mr Heng said that with the disclosure of age profile, companies, unions, workers and the Government can take more 'concrete and proactive steps' to further raise employment and re-employment rates before a law is introduced in 2012. The law will require companies to give workers a chance to go on working after the retirement age of 62.

Some companies are worried they will come under pressure to hire more older workers, said SNEF president Stephen Lee who was at the forum. He told reporters he has assured them that hiring decisions must make economic sense.

The NTUC also acknowledged that different sectors have different jobs and requirements.

'Companies need not be too concerned if their employee age profile is not comparable to industry or national figures,'' Mr Heng said in a separate statement yesterday.

'The act of disclosure alone shows their support and intention towards age-friendly and fair employment - and that is what matters.'

chinlian@sph.com.sg