Working when you're older.

I've always taken things for granted in terms of employment. Then again, I've only been working the last 10 years or less. This first hit me about 2 companies back, when I used to work for an american BTL consultancy. A couple of the women were in their early 40s. And even though things weren't rosy at that point in time, they never thought of quitting.

Why?

Becasue they were older. OLDER. Not old. Not elderly. Just older. (and far from decrepit, might I add)

So when this article about raising the retirement age came to light, it sort of touched a cord. I'm 32. 33 this year, actually. And last year, when I was looking for work, I experienced it too.

(Snippets taken from the Straits Times Interactive, 19Feb 2005.)

"The issue first emerged last November when Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said that it was too early to retire at 62. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong weighed in last month when he indicated that the retirement age could be raised. But it will be done only if the Government is sure that it is 'necessary and right'."

Yup - the *MM with all his brilliance would find it hard to retire at 62, yes? Besides, I firmly believe that the body might weaken, but the mind remains strong for years to come. So I'm with him on this one. But how about this, on the changes that may be needed?

"These could include restructuring work practices, wages and benefits to accommodate older workers; altering employers' perception about hiring and retaining older workers; and offering financial incentives.altering employers' perception about hiring and retaining older workers"

Emphasis mine. And this is what's gotten me a little peeved. Right now, it's an employers market.Cycles of economy, employers market and all that. And that's fine. A fact of life. But what about making sure that you don't let all those years of experience leach away? Employers currently seem to want to hire all those fresh, bright-eyed school leavers. Sure, they're cheaper, no doubt. But how do you go about convincing employers that fresh does not = good? Especially when you consider how bottom-line driven they are?

To top that off, bear in mind that as with all 1stWorld nations, an aging population beckons all too quickly. Look at Europe - especially Italy. That's going to be Singapore pretty quickly. Possibly in the next 30 years even.

I'm also a little sceptical about this too :

'Even if we put in place legislation against so-called discriminatory practices, it is very hard to prove at the workplace,' said *Dr Ng. 'So the solution, I think, has to go beyond legislation."

Why can we not consider what's happening in the US? Where employers are prohibited, by law, from asking about a potential employee's racial original, age &/or date of birth, or religion. It sometimes bugs me when I fill in forms because I am asked to provide all that information and more. Am I being racially profiled? Does my religion have anything to do with my capabilites? If the job requires mental agility and experience, does it matter how old I am?

Anyways, I guess I'll find out in the years to come.

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NOTE :

MM = Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew

Dr Ng = Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen