Debated in Parliament on 8 Oct 2014.
Ms Chia Yong Yong asked the Prime Minister (a) in respect of public sector employees, including those from restructured hospitals, from middle-management downwards who have reached retirement age but are selected to be re-employed on a contract- basis, what safety nets are in place to protect such employees from diminution of their existing employment benefits solely on account of such re-employment; and (b) in what ways does the public sector intend to lead the private sector by example in promoting employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
The Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Teo Chee Hean)(for the Prime Minister): Mdm Speaker, re-employment in the public sector agencies takes reference from the Tripartite Guidelines on the Re-employment of Older Employees. So, the guidelines that we use are no different from those in the private sector and discussed with employers and the unions.
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Our approach is to offer re-employment to all officers who meet the performance and conduct criteria and are medically fit to continue working. Since 1 July 2011, nine in 10 officers reaching the retirement age have been offered re-employment in the Civil Service. Agencies are urged to employ the majority of our officers in their existing jobs and at last drawn pay as far as possible. They are allowed to offer re-employment at lower grades for the more senior grades only if the post is no longer available or needs to be freed up to allow for leadership renewal.
To provide greater certainty for lower-wage officers, since 1 August 2013, all Division III and IV officers are re-employed at the same substantive grade and last drawn salary. These guidelines have been worked out in close consultation with our unions.
Re-employment is a new episode of employment. Where benefits are concerned, all re-employed officers will be placed on the prevailing leave scheme with their years in service refreshed. Pensionable officers can choose to remain on their post-retirement medical benefit scheme or take up the prevailing MediSave- cum- Subsidised Outpatient (MSO) scheme. Non-pensionable officers without post-retirement medical benefits will be placed on the prevailing MSO scheme. As we have announced recently, the Public Service will take the lead to extend our re-employment age to 67 from 1 January 2015, so that more officers can benefit from re-employment. This is also in line with the Tripartite Committee's recommendations.
Re-structured hospitals, which the Member has asked about, are private entities with their own benefit schemes that would have considered the aforementioned Tripartite Guidelines as well when they consider re-employment for their employees.
The second part of Ms Chia Yong Yong's question is not directly related to the first part. Recruitment into the Public Service is based on individual merit, through fair and open competition. We do employ officers with disabilities in the service and are prepared to do more. The Public Service Division is working with the Ministry of Social and Family Development to see how we can help agencies hire and tap on the diverse abilities of persons with disabilities.
Ms Chia Yong Yong.
I thank the Deputy Prime Minister for his clarifications. I have two supplementary questions. First, in relation to the re-employment issue, I would like to ask if the Government can give the assurance that the job scope and
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the benefits will not be re-scoped solely on pecuniary grounds based on budgetary considerations.
In relation to the Deputy Prime Minister's clarification on the second point, I do understand that employment is on a merit basis. Nonetheless, as we encourage private sector employers to employ and to be flexible in job scope, job re-design and hours, I would like to ask what steps the public sector would be taking to lead the private sector in this respect.
Mdm Speaker, on the first comment that the Member made, I have explained already the basis on which re-employment offers are made in the public sector and those are the factors which are taken into consideration.
On the issue of employment of persons with disabilities, the Public Service Division is working with SG Enable and the Ministry of Social and Family Development to see how we can do a number of the things which the Member has suggested and to see how we can employ more persons with disabilities and even restructure some of the jobs to make them more accessible.
Mr David Ong.
I am heartened that the Government has taken the lead to extend the re-employment age to 67 years. My supplementary question is that although I am glad to note that nine out of 10 are offered re-employment in the Public Service, I would like to know what assistance is given to Public Service employees who are able and want to continue working but are not re-employed in the Public Service.
My last question is: will the Public Service also take the lead in re-engineering the workplace so that older workers can stay employed longer and be more productive as well? What are some of the initiatives undertaken by the Public Service, if any?
Mdm Speaker, we have offered re-employment to nine out of 10 of our officers who reach retirement age. I think it is not a bad number. There are reasons why some of the officers are not re-employed. They may not be medically fit. They may not have good service records and so we should not expect 100% because there are considerations which every employer will have to take into account when offering re-employment.
For those officers who are eligible for re-employment, but are not offered re-employment, the Public Sector does assist them to find alternative avenues for employment
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and, where that is not possible, there is also a system, according to the guidelines of the Tripartite Committee, to provide them with some ex gratia payment to help them.
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