A thought for senior citizens and the disabledSENIOR citizens and disabled persons can expect more efforts by the Government to increase job opportunities for them.
For the former, the Government will continue its 100% tax rebate on costs to retrain older persons to encourage greater employment opportunities.
This is in line with the projected increase of those aged above 60 from two million in 2009 to 3.4 million by 2020.
Under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP), the database on employment opportunities for older persons under Jobs Malaysia would be promoted more actively. Jobs Malaysia is an automated online job matching system provided by the Human Resources Ministry, launched on May 30 2002.
While day care centres for senior citizens, established in partnership with NGOs, would be expanded, access to healthcare would also continue to be improved through provision of free transport to hospitals and clinics by the Social Welfare Department.
As for the disabled, the Government will actively pursue its target of getting them 1% of the jobs in the civil service.
Existing programmes such as Job Coach would be broadened to assist the disabled in seeking and retaining positions in open employment through ICT programmes such as an electronic labour exchange system operated by the Labour Department.
Retired teacher Doreen Chan lauded the move to promote the employment of senior citizens.
“If given the opportunity, I don’t mind offering my services to the Government again as long as it is within my field,” said a 63-year-old who taught English at a primary school in Kuala Lumpur.
Responding to the initiatives for the disabled, Petpositive president Anthony Thanasayan welcomed the targeted 1% disabled employment in the civil service.
“However, this target will not be reached unless office buildings are made disabled-friendly.”
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