Why Hong Kong’s fit elderly should be getting jobs: it works for everyone
- Working seniors could earn at least three times more than what they would get by way of the elderly CSSA, while easing the burden on taxpayers
I fully support Secretary for Labour and Welfare Law Chi-kwong’s arguments in favour of raising the age threshold for receiving the elderly comprehensive social security assistance (CSSA) rate (“Elderly welfare payment cut for able-bodied but jobless is ‘nominal’”, January 26). This course of action will ease the problem of Hong Kong’s shrinking workforce and improve the quality of life of the elderly.
The policy change is also fair to taxpayers, because it encourages people who are fit to work but who have not been proactive enough in making a living to go out and seek gainful employment. Critics of this policy seem to have missed the point that the higher threshold aims to encourage healthy and capable – not disabled and ill – seniors to land a job and support themselves.
More healthy seniors returning to the labour market would be particularly helpful to sectors needing low-skilled workers. Security guards, janitors and dishwashers are constantly in short supply. Law’s initiative could release a considerable number of able-bodied senior workers – who in the past may have ceased working and relied on the government – to fill in positions which younger people are reluctant to take up.
By encouraging the needy aged 60 to 64 to work, the government is also improving their quality of life. Working seniors could earn far more than just the HK$3,585 per month that they would get by way of the elderly CSSA. For example, a security guard on average earns around HK$13,000 a month.
No doubt that the government has an obligation to take care of disabled old people who are unfit to work. But for senior citizens aged between 60 and 64 who are healthy enough to take up a job, it is unfair to expect taxpayers to pay their bills.
Anson C.Y. Chan, North Point