Shrinking job options for seniors

I REFER to “Help seniors get jobs” ( The Star, Dec 24). Although I sympathise with people who need an income post-retirement, companies are not charities.

The reality is that many companies are finding that the bottomline is shrinking due to competition and higher costs. As such, we may not be able to change the retirement age or force companies to continue to employ people who may have passed the statutory retirement age.

Irrespective of what is going on in the world today, jobs remain the mainstay of income for the sustenance of the average human being. Privatisation, outsourcing and shared services allow jobs to cross borders at the snap of a finger. Let’s face it, the days of lifetime employment are over.

People are living longer and many jobs are being lost to robotics. There will be an ever increasing problem of an ageing population as well as a new generation of young workers who find it difficult to get jobs.

It is said that many of those born today will not be able to secure employment upon graduation. The future is certainly not bright for the employment market globally.

Starting a business is not easy either. Unless we are willing to change and be retrained, it will be tough to offer our services in a market that doesn’t have the patience to help a person learn and grow.

So, how do we assist both fresh graduates who cannot secure a job as well as people in their mid-40s who are being laid off? What about a 64-year-old who cannot even secure an interview? This is a problem that will not go away in the information age.

The Human Resources Development Fund under the Human Resources Ministry has a centre for retrenched workers. Perhaps they can initiate a special category for retired persons too.

Online job portals should consider having an initiative for seniors who are skilled and good in languages to offer their experience and service albeit at a lower cost.

There are many non-governmental organisations looking for people with good communication abilities. Although they may not be able to pay as well as corporations, they offer a great deal more flexibility.

S YOGA THEVAN Past president, Cansurvive Centre Malaysia Bhd Kajang