Workers’ Party MP calls for greater recognition and action against age discrimination in the workforce.
SINGAPORE: In Parliament on Tuesday (Feb 27), Workers’ Party MP Sylvia Lim (Aljunied GRC) emphasized the crucial role older workers play in Singapore’s workforce, declaring that “60 is the new 40.” She highlighted concerns over age discrimination in the workplace, recounting the story of a man in his 70s, with vast experience in the healthcare industry, who found it nearly impossible to secure even an interview, let alone a job.
However, Ms. Lim stressed that age discrimination is not limited to seniors alone. She pointed out that even those in their 40s face similar challenges, despite the availability of numerous job vacancies in Singapore.
Ms. Lim, who chairs the Workers’ Party, referred to the “young seniors” mentioned by Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in his Budget statement on February 16. As someone born before 1973, she counts herself among this group and advocates for older individuals to be considered valuable assets in the workforce. “We still have much to contribute as citizens,” she said.
Addressing concerns that certain jobs are too physically demanding for older workers, Ms. Lim argued that advances in technology and artificial intelligence have made these concerns largely irrelevant. She quoted a commentary by Dr. Helen Ko, Senior Lecturer at Singapore University of Social Sciences, stating that the key factor in employment should not be age, but whether the demands of the job exceed the worker’s abilities. Furthermore, with health and technological improvements, there are few jobs that a 70-year-old could not do.
Citing studies from the World Health Organisation, Ms. Lim emphasized that people age differently, and that 80-year-olds can have physical and mental capabilities comparable to 20-year-olds. “Each new cohort of the older population is effectively younger and should not be discriminated against because of age,” she added.
The Aljunied GRC MP acknowledged the government’s initiatives to encourage employers to hire older workers and expressed her anticipation for the anti-discrimination legislation, particularly regarding age discrimination, to be introduced later this year. She also commended the efforts to reskill and upskill older workers, which were announced in the Budget statement.
Ms. Lim concluded her speech by reinforcing the need to tackle age discrimination and to ensure that all citizens remain lifelong learners. “We still have work to do to tackle age discrimination if we are to maximize our country’s potential and wellbeing. As I said at the start of my speech, 60 is the new 40. Let us embrace this reality with renewed confidence.”
