The number of companies putting re-employment practices in place climbed last year, new figures from the government show.

Announced by minister of manpower Gan Kim Yong during a recent event, the increase from 64 per cent of employers doing so in 2009 to 77 per cent last year indicates firms are opening up their workforces to older individuals.

According to Channel News Asia, Mr Gan declared: "I am heartened by these findings which indicate that more employers recognize the benefits that experienced and mature employees bring to their organizations."

He told the Singapore Tripartism Forum that plans are now in place to provide businesses with targeted assistance to assist them in adopting re-employment strategies and enhancing their human resources policies.

Asia One recently reported that Mr Gan stated during a response to parliament that the state aims to increase the number of people between the ages of 55 and 65 in work to 65 per cent by 2015 by implementing measures designed to enhance the skills and employability of this demographic.

Posted by Kate Griffin