He says he hopes to raise the employment rate of elderly Singaporeans to match that of Japan.

It is fitting that the former labour chief has put jobs for seniors as top priority in his new capacity.

According to him, 200 employers have already agreed to discuss with trade unions to see how to keep the elderly employed.

Although Singapore may eventually raise its retirement age from the current 62 to 65, Mr Lim said he would prefer to look at other ways of keeping the elderly reemployed.

That is why he intends to work closely with his committee, including current labour chief Lim Swee Say and Chairman of Tripartite Committee on Employability of Older Workers, Gan Kim Yong, to achieve this.

Mr Lim says, "If we can get more people at work, then they have income, solves many problems. Japan has passed a law on reemployment…make it an obligation for employers to reemploy a person when he reaches 60 years old. It was implemented in April last year. The experience is closely watched by the Tripartite Committee. So we have to learn lessons from them to see how we ourselves can do a similar legislation."

The committee will also look at other issues like barrier-free built environment and affordable healthcare for the elderly.

Another area Mr Lim will touch on in parliament is providing support for families so that they can in turn provide for their elderly.

Without disclosing details, Mr Lim said these would include home help services especially for families with senior citizens who need intensive care.

The other members of the committee include Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan and Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Dr Vivian Balakrishnan. - CNA/yy

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