The recent story about a 61-year-old man who sought a job through the Mirror Foundation, an NGO that helps the homeless and unemployed, suggests there is a need for state agencies to streamline their policies regarding the employment of the elderly.
The foundation, which has transformed itself from an arts agency to a pro-welfare organisation, has helped the underprivileged — or tried to — by matching them with prospective employers and securing living places for the homeless in the event people with unused property grant them access.
Despite the success stories, there is still a huge gap between supply and demand. This could be the result of a contracted job market, while a large number of underprivileged people, the foundation’s priority, are too poorly skilled or too old to compete for jobs.
Elderly people account for over 20% of the population in Thailand, and given the low birth rate, there isn’t much light at the end of the tunnel. Labour shortages seem to be looming, but ironically, there are so many workers over 50 and 60 who lack jobs but are keen to work.
Some state agencies, such as the Labour Ministry, are on the right track. Its Civil State Project for the Elderly targets ageing workers while encouraging the private sector to accept people in this age demographic. Zero-interest loans are provided to elderly citizens wishing to establish businesses.
The Revenue Department has also devised incentives, offering tax privileges for companies that employ old people. Certain elderly employees can claim a double tax deduction of 15,000 baht a month. However, the rules state that the elderly must not exceed 10% of the workforce.
The Employment Department said the Civil State Project for the Elderly helped secure jobs for more than 700 people last year. Most were low-skilled positions, such as security guards, cleaners, or production line workers. The agency also said more companies are showing interest in the project with each passing year.
However, vacancies are few and far between. Thailand Development and Research Institute said the number of ageing workers is on the increase, over 100,000 every year. Based on demographic patterns, the number will climb from 4.6 million in 2023 to 5.4 million in 2027 and 5.9 million in 2032.
There is clearly room for improvement. The state should take a proactive approach to securing jobs for the elderly and matching them with employers.
It should also provide training to upskill the workers to increase their chances of landing work so that people in this age group can stand on their own two feet, rather than burden their families.
The state should also reexamine the rules and regulations regarding employment and social security measures and make amendments where necessary.
In addition to offering them direct assistance, it should also consider indirect measures, like incentives for those in the education field, so they can develop factory production system innovations that help reduce age-related physical limits.
State agencies may exchange ideas and experiences with those working on the ground, like the Mirror Foundation, and reduce red tape in the system.
Of course, employment has something to do with market mechanisms, but state support and intervention are necessary to narrow the employment gap, with fewer young graduates and a burgeoning grey population.