...and stupid FTs still think this is a good place to be citizen?
State media’s spin on elderly working full-time
July 14, 2009 by admin
From The Newsroom Team
The Straits Times carried an article on a Mr Sannie Abdul, who returned from Melbourne, Australia to work as a full-time lecturer at Nanyang Polytechnic. (read full article here)
Mr Sannie retired in Melbourne 3 years ago, but a month of sightseeing and doing things at leisure there left him feeling ‘empty’ which prompted him to return to Singapore.
While it is encouraging to know that there are elderly Singaporeans who are still willing to contribute to the nation, Mr Sannie’s case is an exception rather than the norm and it will be foolhardy and unrealistic to make him an exemplary figure for others to follow.
How many Singaporeans are able to afford to retire, let alone abroad at the end of their working lives?
Instead of focusing exclusively on Mr Sannie, the Straits Times should take the initiative to interview our elderly citizens from across various strata of society to find out if they are really keen to continue working in their twilight years.
Ask the Ah Mahs clearing the tables at a neighborhood kopitiams or Ah Peks picking cardboards in the HDB heartlands if they are working because they are “bored” or because they have no choice but to do so.
Of every Mr Sannie who chose to re-enter the workforce voluntarily to serve society, there are probably 9 others who are forced to do so because they need to support themselves.
With the majority of CPF savings being tied up in mortage loans, it can hardly be counted upon to be utilized as a source of retirement fund.
Coupled with rising inflation, high cost of living and stagnant wages, Singaporeans in the low income group face a bleak and uncertain future.
The government have mooted introducing further legislation to mandate that children care for their elderly parents.
What if the children are unable to make even enough to support themselves? How much more can they spare their parents.
There is a need to widen the social safety net to assist elderly who are unable to fend for themselves.
Our silver-haired population has already contributed the most productive years of their lives to the nation. They truly deserve a good rest.
Mr Sannie has the choice not to work, but for many elderly, they simply cannot choose to retire because they are unable to do so.
The mainstream media should report the reality on the ground rather than selective protrayal of isolated cases to promulgate and propagandize the government’s agenda.
State media’s spin on elderly working full-time
July 14, 2009 by admin
From The Newsroom Team
The Straits Times carried an article on a Mr Sannie Abdul, who returned from Melbourne, Australia to work as a full-time lecturer at Nanyang Polytechnic. (read full article here)
Mr Sannie retired in Melbourne 3 years ago, but a month of sightseeing and doing things at leisure there left him feeling ‘empty’ which prompted him to return to Singapore.
While it is encouraging to know that there are elderly Singaporeans who are still willing to contribute to the nation, Mr Sannie’s case is an exception rather than the norm and it will be foolhardy and unrealistic to make him an exemplary figure for others to follow.
How many Singaporeans are able to afford to retire, let alone abroad at the end of their working lives?
Instead of focusing exclusively on Mr Sannie, the Straits Times should take the initiative to interview our elderly citizens from across various strata of society to find out if they are really keen to continue working in their twilight years.
Ask the Ah Mahs clearing the tables at a neighborhood kopitiams or Ah Peks picking cardboards in the HDB heartlands if they are working because they are “bored” or because they have no choice but to do so.
Of every Mr Sannie who chose to re-enter the workforce voluntarily to serve society, there are probably 9 others who are forced to do so because they need to support themselves.
With the majority of CPF savings being tied up in mortage loans, it can hardly be counted upon to be utilized as a source of retirement fund.
Coupled with rising inflation, high cost of living and stagnant wages, Singaporeans in the low income group face a bleak and uncertain future.
The government have mooted introducing further legislation to mandate that children care for their elderly parents.
What if the children are unable to make even enough to support themselves? How much more can they spare their parents.
There is a need to widen the social safety net to assist elderly who are unable to fend for themselves.
Our silver-haired population has already contributed the most productive years of their lives to the nation. They truly deserve a good rest.
Mr Sannie has the choice not to work, but for many elderly, they simply cannot choose to retire because they are unable to do so.
The mainstream media should report the reality on the ground rather than selective protrayal of isolated cases to promulgate and propagandize the government’s agenda.
