THERE has been much debate about increasing the retirement age of civil servants to 65.
Society can benefit from their services if it offers those retiring room to volunteer.
We encourage volunteerism among school and university students but not much for senior citizens.
Employers can offer jobs for volunteers a few times a week. This will not rob young job-seekers’chances of getting jobs.
In fact, volunteers can offer relief to exhausted workers in organisations.
Although some people think that new workers are more vibrant, collaborating with retired experts can complement new workers.
Collaboration opens up opportunities for new workers to learn from retirees.
These collaborations can be seen at the University of Buffalo in New York.
Singapore does the same for healthcare and training.
For example, in the midst of deteriorating English proficiency in our country, we may rope in retired English lecturers.
If hired, these seniors can practise the language with young workers.
Senior citizens with expertise in language or business can teach at refugees centres, orphanages, homes, prisons (juveniles taking Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) and kindergartens.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR MEGAWATI OMAR
UiTM, Shah Alam, Selangor