Life after 60 years may be about retirement for some, but not for all. The number of senior citizens seeking jobs to ensure that they are financially independent is on the rise. Out of 2,622 senior citizens who were placed between 2011 and September 2018 by the Nightingales Medical Trust, a majority were employed in admin departments and as supervisors. Other job roles popular among senior citizens include cashiers and accountants
The trust, since 2011, runs a programme called the Nightingales Job 60 plus which aims to provide employment to senior citizens so that they have job security.
The elderly get jobs after registering for job melas or on the job portal. The helpline also has been getting many enquiries regarding job opportunities, according to trust officials.
S. Premkumar Raja, co-founder of Nightingales Medical Trust said companies were willing to give senior citizens supervisory and admin roles as they do not tend to change their jobs frequently. Mr. Raja said there has been an increase in the number of senior citizens seeking jobs as many of them do not have financial security.
“About 88% of the aged in our country are not covered under any adequate social security scheme. Therefore, most of them are economically insecure and need to depend on their meagre savings or entirely on their children for sustenance. In the absence of any such support, many of them suffer loss of independence and self-dignity,” he said.
He, however, added that with the life expectancy increasing, many senior citizens of the age group 60-70 years are physically fit.
Rekha Murthy, HelpAge India, Karnataka Head, said besides the economic criteria, many of them choose to opt for re-employment as they want to remain active and share their experience and knowledge.
Challenges
It’s not easy though. Many elders said they faced the challenge of not being tech savvy. Salaries too appeared to be an issue.
Illavarasi Rani, 64, who has been working as a college hostel warden for over a year said she chose this job as she wanted to move away from the house due personal problems. “I am glad that I am able to manage my expenses on my own. However, we are also not paid as per industry standards; we are paid much less,” she said.
Sixty-year-old Raj Keserkar, admin head in a private company, said he started his job in November last year after his retirement as he was bored sitting at home. “Companies also recruit us as we have got vast experience in different fields. So I want to work until my health permits me,” he said.
