Encourage workers to have more babies

Phublished on August 29,2007

They say such a move would help balance population levels and counter the disparity in numbers of elderly and young people under 18 years of age. The project would also establish a welfare fund to support elderly people.

The suggestions were put forward at a seminar entitled "Preparation of Labour Organisations for the Approach of an Elderly Society" held yesterday at the Amari Watergate Hotel in Bangkok.

The Labour Ministry also presented an idea to encourage retired people to become vocational train¬ers, and share their knowledge with workers. It expected to start the project within two years.

Chulalongkorn University Professor Kua Wongboonsin said the number of elderly people in Thailand would increase to 10 per cent of the total workingage population of approximately 10 million by 2025. By 2030 the number of workingage people taking care of the elderly would not be sufficient. The ratio of workingage people to elderly citizens would be 2:1 com¬pared to 7:1 at present.

He suggested that people save at least 10 per cent of their income to support themselves in their later years, as many people in Japan do.

"These elderly citizens should not wait for support money from the Social Security Fund because only 30 per cent of those citizens are covered by the social security system. I would recommend the government build up a savings fund for welfare of the elderly. It should also encour¬age [more] births by allowing both men and women to take time off work to care for new babies.

"This would bring about an appropriate ratio between workingage people and elderly people in the future," Kua said.

Ministry permanent secretary Chuthathawat Intarasuksri said the government was concerned about Thais once they retired. The min¬istry had thought of many measures to promote quality of life such as assurances for elderly citizens and freelance training projects.

The Nation