Singapore should take a practical approach towards re-employing older workers beyond age 65 so that as many as possible can continue working for as long as possible, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Wednesday.

In his May Day Rally speech, he said many workers want to stay in their jobs even after they turn 65, and the Government encourages this.

Current laws require employers to offer re-employment to workers who turn 62, up to age 65. Mr Lee said the Government will see how this legislation works first and progressively do more.

But he added that it cannot be a one-size fits all policy, as it depends on workers' health, nature of work and companies' needs.

Speaking to 1,600 union leaders and other guests at Downtown East, Mr Lee also spoke about how the concerns of low-wages workers and professionals, managers and executives would be addressed even as he gave his assurance that Singapore was in a better shape than many other countries.