| 27. |
Fourth, older workers
will need extra help, especially those who
have lost their jobs. These workers are more
likely to be retrenched, and have greater
difficulty finding new jobs. We are lowering
the CPF contribution rate for workers aged
50-55 to address this problem. However, despite
this, older workers will leave their jobs
from time to time, and will often then need
extra help to make the transition to another
job. |
| |
|
| 28. |
Older
workers have found it difficult to persuade
employers to hire them, especially in this
current job market and if they have no track
record in a different industry. Mr Nithiah
Nandan argued passionately that, besides feeling
for older workers, the Government should take
concrete actions to address their problems.
This is precisely what we have been doing. |
| |
|
| 29. |
The People-for-Jobs
Traineeship Programme (or PJTP) gives financial
support and incentives to employers to help
local workers in their 40s or older make career
transitions. Employers are expected to set
up traineeship or mentorship arrangements
for the new workers, besides providing suitable
job opportunities to the workers. |
| |
|
| 30. |
There
are currently 5,000 companies registered with
the PJTP programme. 12,000 older workers,
most with only secondary education or below,
have been placed in jobs. 44% of these workers
have stayed on with their employers even after
the salary support ended. This shows that
the scheme has been effective in helping older
workers find new jobs. |
| |
|
| 31. |
In view
of the success of the PJTP programme, the
Government will extend the programme for another
year until 31 Dec 2004, and commit another
$36 million to finance it. |
