SINGAPORE - National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) deputy secretary-general Heng Chee How lauded the Manpower Ministry's move to set a deadline for raising the age requirement for re-employing older people in a post on his personal Facebook page.

Currently, employers are required by the law to offer re-employment to eligible workers when they turn 62, up to the age of 65.

By 2017, the ceiling will be raised to the age of 67. The move is made to prepare firms for the country's shrinking labour force.

In his post, Mr Heng wrote that the labour movement has been "pushing vigorously with the tripartite partners" to up the re-employment age.

He also urged employers to "quickly do whatever is necessary to re-employ their workers beyond 65, and not just let time slip past".

On its end, the Government also needs "to do its utmost" to incentivise employers to do so, added Mr Heng.