Compelling these individuals to retire at a certain age would mean depriving their employers of their valuable talent and experience. Some of them, due to their experience, skills and commitment, are performing even better than many of the young ones. I acknowledge that there are also many employees who, despite reaching the age of 60 (some of my colleagues included), are still in good health and possess valuable experience and skills that can be utilised in the workplace. I don’t and I cannot deny that while it is true that physical and mental disabilities can decline with age, this is not always the case for every individual. Looking at the trend worldwide, there must be good reasons for many governments to require their civil servants to retire at the age of 60. Some do not mind working beyond the age limit, for as long as they are still mentally and physically fit, as they genuinely love their job. Of course, some have no choice and wish the mandatory retirement age would be extended for they still need the income to support their livelihoods. Some plan to simply quit their job due to health issues. Some want to just spend more time with family, friends and grandchildren while others wish to pursue their hobbies, venture into something else or continue to work albeit in other professions and on a part-time basis. The reason is simple: “I have been in the job for too long and I am getting bored Many have also made plans to retire early. Just a few nights ago, when attending a reunion dinner, many of attendees who were my schoolmates, though only 57 years old, confided that they could not wait to retire. Many individuals would have already been planning their retirement based on the current retirement age of 60, and any changes to this could have significant consequences. It will take some time but it’s certainly worth it for their career prospects and social protection,” he said.AS the retirement age debate continues, it is important to remember that behind the statistics and numbers are real people whose lives will be affected by any changes. “They have to be willing to work hard from the ground up to build their careers. “But they should not expect a high starting salary because it’s a fact they have little industry experience. SME (small and medium-sized enterprises) Association of Malay-sia president Ding Hong Sing said SMEs are more than willing to hire these gig workers to fill up the many jobs in the market. “With the right attitude and hard work, I’m sure they will have a right start that leads to a better career pathway,” he added. To transform, he said, such workers must be willing to put in the effort and not “work like there’s no boss” at any job. “It should remain a parttime or side gig as it is,” he said, adding that the younger generation should not take the easy way out.Ĭhong also said gig workers must always expect challenges like more competitors joining the field and a shift in demand in the gig market, and have their own exit strategy. It is never permanent and provides no safety net, unlike a proper job. “A gig job comes and goes according to the demand of the moment in the market. Malaysia E-Hailing Drivers Association president Daryl Chong concurred, saying that jobs such as ehailing driver and delivery rider should never be a person’s permanent career. She added that training is provided for professional jobs like chargeman, timber grader, welder and offshore personnel in sectors that are in need of workers. They must prioritise a permanent job for their future’s sake,” she said. “Gig work should only be on a part-time basis. Zarina also called on gig workers to upskill/reskill themselves through the various TVET (technical and vocational education and training) courses available at many public and private institutions, which often come with job placements upon completion. If a gig worker has a positive resume and shows a good attitude and willingness to learn when being interviewed, it is likely they will get hired, she added. “They must change their mindset, switch from their freestyle way and working hours to having a superior and rules to obey,” she said in an interview. National Association of Human Resources Malaysia president Zarina Ismail said to safeguard their future, gig workers must think ahead and not get complacent. Gig jobs are usually supplementary in nature, so these workers must be willing to put in the effort to build their careers slowly. PETALING JAYA: Gig workers seeking permanent jobs but lacking experience must change their mindset, say experts.
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