HR expert disagrees with proposal to increase retirement age

Human Resource expert and CEO of L'ainé Services, Madam Ellen Hagan, has disagreed with proposals by the Constitution Review Implementation Committee for the retirement age to be increased from 60 to 65 years.

The Committee has prepared a Bill currently under scrutiny at the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General's Department for increase in the retiring age of public workers.

Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has agreed to an upward review of the retiring age explaining 65 years retirement would reduce stress on the pension scheme.

But speaking to Joy News, Madam Ellen Hagan said increasing the retirement age would stifle the possibility for the younger people to step in the shoes of the older people.

"If we raise the retirement age it will be more difficult for the younger people to get into the system. [We must not forget] the jobs available are fewer," she stressed.

According to her, there is nothing wrong with the 60 years retirement age since "when people retire they could still do other things".

"It doesn't mean you can't continue working or doing other things," she said.

According to her, retirees could go into the informal sector while the young ones get the opportunity to take up the positions of the older.

"Especially since we have not done anything about our life expectancy...it's still 55 [years]", she noted indicating if older workers don't leave public work to enjoy their life early, stress could send them to an early grave.