extracted from ST forum.
After 35 years in govt service, he gets $2 commemorative coin, a
piece of paper.
A lot has been written in the recent months in our newspapers on
allegations of ageism in the workforce.
After 35 years in govt service, he gets $2 commemorative coin, a
piece of paper. Old workers deserve better
Much has also been said by the Ministry of Manpower about keeping
the senior members of the workforce. Sadly, I cannot say that
enough has been done to put words into action.
My father, Mohamad Bin Yusoff, had devoted a good 35 years of his
life working in the public healthcare sector.
He started his career in 1970 at the Institute of Health in Tiong
Bahru, then worked in Singapore General Hospital, the Dental
healthcare centres at Pegu Road and Bedok and finally in2000 till
this year at Singhealth in Tampines.
The changes were mainly due to the restructuring of the company and
better utilisation of manpower.
Thirty-five years. It is not a short period of time. My father
never had the luxury of a proper education in his younger years but
what he lacked in paper qualifications, he made up in perseverance,
hardwork and a good work attitude.
I dare say this for a majority of our nation's senior members of
the work force. Need I remind everyone that these are the same
healthcare workers who were at the frontline in the battle against
Sars which hit our nation not too long ago?
I shudder to think how quickly we've forgotten the deeds of the
people who were in the 'hot zone' of the Sars crisis day in and day
out, when panic and fear were the normal reactions. It was a time
when healthcare workers and even their family members were shunned
by others like the plague.
Has it really been that long that we have forgotten about it? Has
it been that long so much so that it now seems perfectly all right
to terminate the service of our senior workers?
For my father's work during the Sars crisis, he was awarded a $2
commemorative cupro-nickel coin as a tribute to the healthcare
givers in recognition of their contributions in the battle against
the disease.
You may say it is not much but at home, we had displayed it with
pride as a reminder of how my father left home everyday to earn a
simple, honest living in a place where people dread, at a time when
a sneeze from someone in public transport would draw wierd,
unwanted stares from everyone.
Let us be honest. Few people rose to meet the challenge which Sars
presented when it struck. One fine day, my father came home with a
piece of paper informing him that his services were no longer
required. No reason was given.
After 35 years, what has my father to show for it? A $2
commemorative cupro-nickel coin and a piece of paper. We have since
stored away the $2 cupro-nickel coin for what used to be a symbol
of pride now seems to be mocking my father and his family.
Which is why I plead and urge that more should be done to recognise
the many deeds that the senior members of the workforce have
contributed in the building of our country.
Razali Mohamad
