Latest news with #Awa
The Star
19 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
In today's climate, some don't have the luxury of retirement
PETALING JAYA: Raising the retirement age to 65 will help seniors achieve greater financial stability. Lee Peng Joo, 70, said he works as a part-time electrical chargeman in his free time due to high demand from his former acquaintances in the industry. Needing to only do safety and operational checks on high-voltage electrical installations, Lee said the work is fairly simple and allows him to earn extra income without much hassle. 'I work under contract, so I typically only have to check an installation once a month, which normally takes less than half an hour at each site, and write an inspection report after that. 'It's technical work that keeps my mind fresh. It's not physically demanding so I don't have to worry about getting injured,' he said. Lee would love to continue working until he is 75 years old. A human resource executive who wanted to be known only as Johari said there is 'no choice but to work until I can't'. 'The cost of things isn't getting any cheaper, and I still have to get my youngest boy through university. Business owner G. James, 67, who runs an accounting firm, said he decided to continue working to reduce dependence on his children, who are all working. 'For me, it's a personal preference. 'Although my wife and three children have persuaded me to let go of the business since we're already doing well, I don't want to trouble anyone by asking for money. 'By continuously working past 60, I can still earn for my wife and myself,' he said. > see next page 'Every time there are proposals for the retirement age to be increased, I have no issue with it, but it must serve as a transition period for the younger up-and-coming talents. 'We won't be here forever and have to pass the torch one day,' he said. In the busy streets of Kuala Lumpur, The Star met up with some retired seniors who have no other choice but to continue working to make ends meet. One such retiree is a 71-year-old man, who only wanted to be known as M, who runs his own roadside stall in Pudu selling miscellaneous items. M, who worked in a tailor shop before he retired over a decade ago, said he was forced to turn to running a small business as he needs money for daily expenses. 'I'm currently staying with my son who gives me pocket money once in a while, but it's not enough for my daily needs. 'I would rather earn my own income than depend solely on my son, to provide for me,' he said. Items sold at M's store include reading glasses and sunglasses for RM15 each that he had bought from wholesalers who were clearing stock. He also sells nail clippers and batteries for around RM5 each. Conditions were not so good for another retiree aged 78, who only wanted to be known as Awa, as he struggled to earn money to cover his room rental and daily needs. Awa, who is not married and has no kids, rents a small room in Pudu for RM200 a month. He worked as a construction worker until he was forced to retire two decades ago, which led to his savings eventually drying up about five years ago. He now covers his expenses by selling socks and phone cables at his roadside stall. 'My day usually begins early as I try to find a place to set up my stall beside a walkway by 8am and work until 3pm. 'I get the socks and cables from small convenience stores around the area, then resell them for a small margin that is just barely enough for my daily meals and rental costs,' he said.
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Nunavut leaders alarmed as federal food voucher program set to end
Original publication date: May 19, 2025 A federal program that provides monthly food vouchers to Inuit families is set to end after the 2025-26 fiscal year, raising concern among municipal leaders across Nunavut who say the loss will hit families hard, especially those with young children. The program, part of the Inuit Child First Initiative, gives families $500 per month for every child under 18 and an additional $250 for children under the age of four to help with the cost of baby formula, diapers, and other essentials. The funding received a one-year extension in April but is now scheduled to be discontinued permanently. Iqaluit Mayor Solomon Awa, who also serves as president of the Nunavut Association of Municipalities (NAM), said the program is a lifeline for families, especially those with no income. 'It's really sad to see that communities will no longer be getting this food that they used to have,' he told NNSL Media: 'That program helped many families. And now, it hurts quite a few, including our own.' Nunavut has some of the highest food prices in Canada, with a single can of infant formula costing up to $80, Awa said. The program gives families access to groceries they otherwise couldn't afford, especially those without steady income. While some schools are receiving limited funding from the federal government to feed children during the school day, Awa said that this support doesn't reach infants and toddlers who aren't yet in school, even though they are the exact group that benefited most from the monthly vouchers. Awa says the end of the program reflects a broader pattern of government support in Inuit communities: they get rolled out, then later taken away. 'We are Indigenous people (and) we used to be independent,' he said. 'The government told us to form communities and promised support. Now they give something and they stop it. It's misleading.' Awa has also heard similar concerns from mayors and residents across the territory from Arctic Bay to Cambridge Bay. Pond Inlet Mayor Joshua Arreak voiced similar frustration. He said the program has a noticeable impact in his community and has been managed carefully to ensure the funds are spent on essentials like healthy food, not junk food or cigarettes. When the news broke that the program would be discontinued, Arreak said his immediate worry is for families who have come to rely on it. 'Families were beginning to depend on it to feed their children, which they could not afford before,' he said. 'Now we're back to basics.' Although his own household doesn't receive the funds, Arreak says his children, who now have families of their own, are devastated. But being up in the North, what they have to do is 'to accept the circumstances and live on.' Both Arreak and Awa say the program's cancellation will have lasting effects on child development and well-being. 'If a child has food in their tummy, they will be happy and they will learn better. When you're hungry, you can't think, even if you go to school,' Awa said. 'The children are going hungry. That's number one,' Arreak said. NAM is urging the federal government to reconsider the decision or replace the program with a sustainable, long-term alternative. 'We live in a harsh environment… I hope they can help more, especially for Inuit families. This program made a real difference,' Awa says. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
