By Twink Jones Gadama
In a bid to address the challenges faced by young graduates in finding employment, the Public Pensioners Forum (PPF) is calling on the government to reduce the mandatory retirement age for civil servants from 60 to 50 years. This move, according to the forum, would not only create job opportunities for young people but also allow retirees to enjoy their pensions while still capable of pursuing personal goals.
Speaking on behalf of the forum, Board Chairperson Dyson Mutipe emphasized the struggles faced by young graduates in securing employment. “It’s alarming to see young graduates struggling to find jobs, while older civil servants continue to occupy positions that could be filled by younger, more energetic individuals,” Mutipe said.
Mutipe also highlighted the persistent hardships faced by retirees over the years, accusing the government of neglecting its obligation to safeguard their welfare. “Retirees have been facing numerous challenges, including delayed pension payments, inadequate healthcare, and lack of support for their post-retirement endeavors,” Mutipe added.
The PPF’s call for a reduced retirement age is not without precedent. In some countries, the retirement age has been lowered to address similar challenges. For instance, in France, the retirement age was lowered from 65 to 60 in 2010 to address concerns about the aging workforce and to create job opportunities for younger workers.
While some may argue that reducing the retirement age could lead to a loss of experience and expertise in the civil service, the PPF counters that this move would actually benefit the government in the long run. “By allowing older civil servants to retire earlier, the government can bring in fresh perspectives and ideas, which can lead to improved productivity and efficiency in the public sector,” Mutipe explained.
The PPF’s proposal has sparked a heated debate among stakeholders, with some arguing that the move would be too costly for the government, while others see it as a necessary step to address the challenges faced by young graduates and retirees.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the PPF’s call for a reduced retirement age has brought attention to the need for innovative solutions to address the challenges faced by both young graduates and retirees. Whether or not the government will heed the PPF’s call remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the conversation has begun, and it’s time for stakeholders to come together to find solutions that benefit all parties involved.
In related news, the Himachal Pradesh government has been working to address the grievances of its pensioners, including the payment of arrears and the revision of pension rates.
The government’s efforts to address these concerns are a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to ensure that retirees are able to live dignified lives after years of service to the nation.
