On retirees, mothers, and productivity

Singapore

HAS the push for older men and more women to work affected productivity growth? The question wasn't explicitly asked when the Budget debate kicked off on Tuesday, but the implication was made in some of the points raised by some Members of Parliament on the issue.

Foo Mee Har (West Coast GRC) suggested there was perhaps a trade-off as more Singaporean retirees and back-to-work mothers are drawn back to the workforce, while productivity growth was disappointing. "The inclusion of these workers in the workforce may have impacted productivity levels," she told Parliament.

Nominated MP Randolph Tan raised the ques…