Growing old not an option

Growing old not an option

Mr Simon Owen Khoo Kim San's letter appears discriminatory against older workers ("Difficulties in hiring older workers"; last Friday).

It appears to me that he considers older workers a liability to the workforce.

Growing old is not an option - for anyone. Nobody wants to be in a place where they have to feel apologetic for having to grow old.

However, in categorising workers and their employability according to their age, as well as considering the hiring of them an "honourable notion", we are, in fact, sending a message to all, young and old, that growing old relegates one to being a near-expiry product with limited usability.

With this mindset, it is no wonder the old are treated with disdain.

Perhaps, we should reconsider the labelling of people according to their age, as this perpetuates the notion that youth is good and old is sad; it also creates an unnecessary divide.

Instead, we should look at everyone as individuals with something to contribute, regardless of their age. No Singaporean should be made to feel bad for having to grow old.

Chia Eng Wah


This article was first published on October 27, 2015.
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