No silver bullet for the silver workforce

Singapore

BUSINESSES are turning to technology and job redesign to cope with an ageing workforce and labour crunch, executives told The Business Times.

Ong Eng Tiang, head of building management and security services at Advancer Global, noted that "while rising manpower costs will continue to be a challenge", the group invests in solutions like smart toilet systems to improve the productivity of cleaners and security guards on its payroll.

With options such as monitoring premises from a centralised command post instead of patrolling the grounds, mature employees can take on less gruelling tasks, he added.

Vidisha Mehta, Singapore managing director for talent and rewards at insurance firm Willis Towers Watson, told BT that it will be crucial "to build the base level of digital skills" in job redesign, so…