Singapore moves to help older PMEs transition to new jobs

Tay, who is also assistant secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), proposed for the Jobs Growth Incentive (JGI) scheme to be changed into “a permanent short-term salary support initiative to assist our mature PMEs”. The scheme, which supports local hiring through wage subsidies, has been extended by six months to September but with reduced support rates.

Tay said, “This is done by helping companies, who hire unemployed mature PMEs, in mitigating their costs and risks associated with hiring this group of PMEs, who may possess the relevant skills and experience needed. This will also allow companies to assess the mature PMEs’ suitability for the job roles and continue to keep them in the companies’ workforce.”

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The latest extension will incentivise firms to hire older PMEs and ensure these workers get the opportunities they deserve, he said. The scheme, which was introduced in September 2020, has already been extended twice, with the latest qualifying window originally slated to close this month (March).

In addition, there is a need to protect the confidentiality of whistle-blowers of discriminatory practices and prohibit retaliation against them, said Tay, according to The Straits Times.