SINGAPORE – The PAP Seniors Group plans to submit a White Paper with policy recommendations on senior employment to a tripartite workgroup to guide long-term planning on the issue.
The group held a dialogue on Oct 12 attended by more than 300 people, including activists, retired MPs and members of the public, as part of its efforts to gather feedback from seniors, employers and partners.
The views collected will inform its recommendations, which will be submitted to the
Tripartite Workgroup on Senior Employment.
The workgroup was set up in 2025 to improve the employability of seniors and increase the availability of jobs that better suit their needs.
Some issues discussed during the dialogue on Oct 12 included encouraging employers to adopt a long-term view of employment and creating flexible roles, as well as the need for seniors to adjust and adapt to new opportunities beyond age 70.
It also highlighted the importance of initiating career planning conversations at an earlier stage when workers are in their 40s or 50s.
The findings of a recent online survey conducted by the PAP Seniors Group were also shared.
The survey of nearly 700 respondents, carried out from Sept 26 to Oct 2, found that
many seniors wished to work past the age of 70
, but employers may not be ready to retain them.
Flexible work arrangements and structured career planning to identify skill gaps and relevant training were seen as key to support seniors who want to remain in the workforce.
The PAP Seniors Group, which is chaired by Manpower Minister Tan See Leng, said its work will be guided by two pillars: advocacy and activism.
The group’s vice-chairwoman Rahayu Mahzam, who is Minister of State for Digital Development and Information and Health, will lead the advocacy pillar, which includes Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MP Cai Yinzhou and Tanjong Pagar GRC MP Foo Cexiang as members.
Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, also a vice-chairman and Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth and Manpower, will lead the activism and communication pillar. Its members include Nee Soon GRC MP Jackson Lam and Kebun Baru MP Henry Kwek.
Ms Rahayu said that senior employment is an important factor in enabling seniors to age well, and the group has been engaging senior workers and employers.
It plans to tap its network of activists to come up with ground initiatives or policy inputs to advocate for a more inclusive workplace culture that values experience and lifelong contribution, she added.
Mr Dinesh said conversations on retirement and career planning should be initiated much earlier to avoid causing friction and negative perceptions around workplace support for seniors.
“Work redesign and a mindset shift should be continuous conversations, not ones that begin only when workers reach the statutory definition of a senior,” he added.
