SHAH ALAM, June 23 — The Selangor government is looking into suitable mechanisms to allow senior citizens to remain employed, as the state’s population ages, said state executive councillor for women empowerment and welfare Anfaal Saari.
She said any measure must consider senior citizens’ welfare and ensure youth employment and career advancement are not affected.
“Pandamaran (assemblyman Leong Tuck Chee) also expressed concern about Selangor becoming an aged state, and suggested allowing senior citizens to work. This is very important, and is even outlined in the First Selangor Plan (RS-1).
“We are studying control mechanisms so the welfare of working senior citizens is ensured. On the Skim Mesra Usia Emas, God willing, applications will be opened in the third quarter of this year,” she added when winding up the debate on Phase 2 of the Selangor Resilience Enhancement Package (SREP) at the Selangor State Legislative Assembly sitting here today.
Yesterday, during the debate session on SREP Phase 2, Leong voiced the need for more jobs for seniors to help them earn an independent living, adding that those aged 60 and above are among his service centre’s most frequent visitors, who come seeking guidance on gaining employment.
Meanwhile, Anfaal urged that the state government look into setting up childcare-matching platforms.
“I welcome and will study a proposal by Permatang (assemblyman Nurul Syazwani Noh) for the government to channel aid via a single window to facilitate access to the needy. Steps to realise this measure have already begun,” she said.
Anfaal also expressed hope that SREP Phase 2 would help cushion the state against the impact of economic crises and help Selangor become stronger and more resilient.
On June 19, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari announced the RM209.26 million SREP Phase 2 for 15 initiatives, which adds to Phase 1’s RM145.8 million for seven initiatives.
