The Singapore Democratic Party’s (SDP) Bryan Lim Boon Heng met a 73-year old man during his walkabout yesterday (August 22) evening.
A burning issue on the elderly man’s mind was Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s announcement of raising the retirement age and re-employment age to 65 and 70 respectively, during the National Day Rally.
PM Lee also revealed that the re-employment age, which is currently 67, will go up to 68 in 2022, before being raised further to 70 by 2030.
During his speech, PM Lee said that “most elderly do not want to stop working in Singapore.
The elderly man said, “I am already 73 years old. So he expects me to work till 1000 years old? I don’t even know if I will live past tomorrow”.
“In Europe, the elderly retire at the age of 55 years old & will tour around the world to enjoy their life. Why can’t our Singaporeans do the same?” the elderly man griped.
https://www.facebook.com/BryanLimBH/posts/1347211295427843
In his post on social media, Mr Lim wrote, “I have said it before & I will say it again. We don’t need a rocket scientist to tell us that our people are suffering on the ground”.
“No one in their right mind will want to spend their entire life working till they lie six feet under. Given a choice, no elderly will want to collect cardboard boxes & deem it as “a form of exercise”. Given a choice, no elderly will enjoy clearing plates in the hawker centre “to stay active and engaged & to feel a sense of worth and purpose” “, he added.
The SDP held their walkabouts in Marsiling. Marsiling –Yew Tee is currently helmed by Minister for National Development and Second Minister for Finance Mr Lawrence Wong. /TISG