Yu Fan/To what extent should the Singapore government be responsible for taking care of the elderly?

The government may be expected to provide employment opportunities for the elderly when the elderly is financially unstable. Being an elderly, they might not have the ability to do the jobs that require strength and stamina thus resulting in a lower chance of getting employed. Only when the government is able to take care of the elderly, then will there be lesser poverty problems arising. Lesser poverty problems would lead to a better economy as everyone's welfare is taken into consideration. In Singapore, the government encourages the elderly to work instead of relying on the state welfare. The government might raise the retirement age from 62 to 65 and from 2012, there would be laws for employers to rehire older workers. This is one of the ways which the government is being responsible for taking care of the elderly. By giving the elderly a chance to prove their ability, they would be able to earn an income to support their daily life.

However, the employers in Singapore should also take responsibility and give the elderly an equal opportunity of getting employed despite their inferior strength and stamina. The government should not hold full responsibility of the employment of the elderly as the employers play an important role as well. Many offices employ elderly for less strenuous job position such as cleaners and security guards. Although government may be responsible of taking care of the elderly, the employers also play a vital role in assuring the employment of the elderly. If the employers refuse to employ the elderly, there are few things the government could do to solve the problem.