Govt will look into MTUC proposal
IPOH: The government will study the proposal to increase the retirement age from 60 to 65 as practised in several developed countries including Singapore, that was proposed by the Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) yesterday.
Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran said the ministry will discuss the matter with the Finance Ministry before making a decision.
“We have given our opinion and have forwarded the matter to the Finance Ministry, including a request to increase the cost of living allowance (COLA),” he said.
Kulasegaran was speaking to reporters at a programme to plant trees held at Taman Dr Seenivasagam, Ipoh here today. Also present were Kepayang state assemblyman Dr. Ko Chung Sen and Ipoh Mayor Datuk Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim.
Asked if the proposal could affect employment opportunities for the younger generation, Kulasegaran said the proposed increase in retirement age would benefit the country in the future.
“The country lacks workforce, there is no lack of job opportunities. We are taking in a lot of foreign workers because the country does not have sufficient labour force,” he said.
He said the unemployed in the country were mostly youths, including fresh graduates.
He urged unemployed youths to join Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) programmes which would provide them with skills that would increase their job opportunities.
