Are workplaces in Malaysia ready to welcome older workers?
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I refer to
the article , 'Malaysians slam plan to raise civil servant retirement age to 65: 'let them rest'' (May 21).
In Malaysia, the retirement age for civil servants and private-sector employees has been adjusted several times. In 1951, the mandatory retirement age was set at 55 years. It was raised to 56 in 2001, 58 in 2008, then 60 in 2012. Now there is a suggestion to raise it to 65 – a substantial leap.
While some argue that such a move would allow experienced workers to remain in the workforce, there are also concerns about the declining physical and cognitive abilities of older people and the potential accident risks this brings. Raising the retirement age could contribute to an increase in workplace and traffic accidents.
Age-related changes such as weakened muscles, joint stiffness, reduced agility and decreased stamina can make it harder for seniors to perform tasks safely in industrial settings. Balancing problems resulting in falls are also a significant cause of injury to older adults.
Many seniors also experience chronic health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, which can affect their ability to perform work safely. At the same time, cognitive decline could affect their decision-making and reaction time.
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