No, this has got nothing to do with MM Lee’s comments about
Singaporeans working beyond the retirement age. To deflect all that
he said, I only need to ask myself two questions: How many people
in the world at age 86, are still actively working? Who and what
company would employ a person who is, say, 76?
In life, there is a beginning and there is
an end. We begin to work when we are young and we retire when we
are old. Everything in between is known as “productive employment”
and every productive indicator confirms that this productivity
begins to wane somewhere between age 55 and 62.
Beyond 62, a person is like a jalopy. The engine begins to
wobble, the chassis corrodes and the car just can’t perform as
handsomely as it first rolled out of the showroom. It is not
unexpected because every human being who goes through this ageing
process will understand. In compassionate terms, medical leave
escalates and hospitalization leave prolongs coupled with countless
of medical appointment in between. It is a divine reminder that a
human being is not infallible, that he is mortal and it is the
order of life that he cannot ignore or eschew.
Hence assuming and calling for an older man to be more
productive as he ages is akin to saying that we are growing younger
as we are growing older. Hey, I am sorry but the world has not
found a Benjamin Button just yet.
In a fast paced and competitive business environment like
Singapore, a company cannot afford to retain workers who are
dragging and stalling the engine of the company. If a younger
worker is the answer, no company would want to retain a worker
beyond his retirement age. This is a fact of life we have to accept
without reservation. Hence, the reality is even if a retiree wants
to continue working, no amount of legislations can force a company
to hire an old man.
Do we want to deprive or deny those who want retirement?
Retirement is a joy to be celebrated especially by those who can
afford it. After years of dedicated, loyal and committed employment
people look forward to retirement with alacrity. Free of
encumbrances and a regulated office life for the last 30 years,
there are so many passionate things to do during retirement;
reading, golfing, fishing, farming, traveling or simply chilling
out with friends.
Yes, enjoy life because life is meant to be enjoyed and an
enjoyable life is a better memory to retrieve. People want to
retire when they are still strong and fit. They want to enjoy life
before, as the Chinese so cynically put it, they surrender their
identity card. They might even want to do some grandparenting role
for all we know.
And if I were a rich retiree, I would probably have just
returned from the World Cup in South Africa. I would cherish this
fond memory because I am not sure if I would survive to live the
next four years.
I know I would never work till I drop because I am very certain
that no one would hire me when I reach the grand old age of 76.
Douglas Chua
Retire later, die earlier
http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/07/374/
Caught in a Bad Romance: The day Lee Kuan Yew gutted me
