The Ministry of Labor's (MOL) opening of the Senior Workforce Development Center is worthy of affirmation, Premier Mao Chi-kuo stated today. He directed agencies to cooperate to further increase senior citizens' labor-force participation rate.
The nation's working population is projected to decline beginning in 2016. The premier indicated that to prevent a labor shortage, two trends must be addressed: late entry to the job market by young people coupled with early retirement by older workers, and low-skilled workers entering Taiwan's labor market while high-skilled workers are leaving it for better salaries abroad.
The government must prepare in advance, breaking through the existing framework with new thinking and innovation, prudently mapping out counterstrategies, and immediately putting these plans into action, Mao advised.
The premier made these remarks after being briefed by the MOL at today's Cabinet meeting on the utilization and promotion of the Senior Workforce Development Center, which he said will help senior citizens participate in the work force. The center, which opened October 2, is designated to match job-seekers who are 55 or older—including those who had previously retired—with employers who are interested in hiring them. As of November 30, the center had received 505 requests from prospective employers and 320 from job-seekers.
In light of the aging of society and low birthrate, the government must discuss not only long-term care but also how to unleash the brainpower and productivity of elderly talents, or LOHAS (lifestyles of health and sustainability) for seniors, the premier stated. Most elders possess abundant experience and are equipped with professional knowledge and skills. Even though their physical mobility may have waned because of aging, with appropriate adjustments in work procedures, work content, arrangement of flexible working hours, provision of auxiliary job tools and re-designing of jobs, they can still play their strong suit in the workplace.
The premier asked Minister without Portfolio Feng Yen to supervise government agencies' collaboration and integration of resources to raise seniors' labor participation, and he directed the MOL to continue promotion of relevant measures as well as timely review and adjustment of labor laws and regulations. Mao also asked the Ministry of Economic Affairs to research and devise plans to create job opportunities suitable for elderly laborers.
In order to increase social consensus for labor participation by seniors and the utilization of elderly workers, Premier Mao asked the Ministry of Education to inform ROC citizens about the issue through different channels.
The premier asked the Ministry of Health and Welfare to expand the roles of private-sector services and social enterprises in care for the elderly, to proactively promote healthy living and social participation by senior citizens, and to collaborate in engendering an environment that meets seniors' needs.
For more information about the Senior Workforce Development Center, please visit its Chinese-language website:
http://swd.wda.gov.tw