Its Hire Me project – “Jangwan Ka” in Thai – seeks to provide jobs for people who cannot enter the employment system due to factors such as old age.
“Thailand hardly provides jobs for the elderly … they’re often perceived as having less ability to work,” said the Hire Me project manager, Mr Sittiphol Chuprajong.
“Actually, many of them still want to be employed because working isn’t just about earning income but also living their life, socialising and having friends,” he added.
Since 2020, Hire Me has attracted 160 participants and counting. Most of them are the elderly and about 20 per cent are people in their fifties who do not have enough funds to start a new life on their own.
Today, Mr Wattana earns 2,500 baht per week from working in the foundation’s warehouse. He can afford to pay 2,100 baht a month for a room, pay for his meals and buy a second-hand mobile phone to watch TikTok videos during his free time.
“It’s like my life was illuminated again after everything had gone dark. There is hope,” he said.
“I’m happy, very happy.”
SAVE UP FOR RETIREMENT
Thailand is facing considerable challenges as the elderly population shifts in the opposite direction to the birth rate.
Even should moves be made to return the elderly to the workforce, concerns remain over their financial security and health issues as well as how existing infrastructure can accommodate more seniors.
Ms Kingkan Ketsiri from the Bank of Thailand told CNA not much has been done to improve their welfare benefits and that the burden would fall on the working-age population in the future if nothing changes.
“Given that we have fewer newborn babies, we may not have enough people to take care of the elderly and that means more responsibilities for working-age individuals,” said Ms Kingkan, assistant director of the macroeconomic department.
Source: CNA
