After 35 years in govt service, he gets $2 commemorative coi
-
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/forum/story/0,5562,351754,00.html?
A lot has been written in the recent months in our newspapers on allegations of ageism in the workforce.
Much has also been said by the Ministry of Manpower about keeping the senior members of the workforce. Sadly, I cannot say that enough has been done to put words into action.
My father, Mohamad Bin Yusoff, had devoted a good 35 years of his life working in the public healthcare sector.
He started his career in 1970 at the Institute of Health in Tiong Bahru, then worked in Singapore General Hospital, the Dental healthcare centres at Pegu Road and Bedok and finally in2000 till this year at Singhealth in Tampines.
The changes were mainly due to the restructuring of the company and better utilisation of manpower.
Thirty-five years. It is not a short period of time. My father never had the luxury of a proper education in his younger years but what he lacked in paper qualifications, he made up in perseverance, hardwork and a good work attitude.
I dare say this for a majority of our nation's senior members of the work force. Need I remind everyone that these are the same healthcare workers who were at the frontline in the battle against Sars which hit our nation not too long ago?
I shudder to think how quickly we've forgotten the deeds of the people who were in the 'hot zone' of the Sars crisis day in and day out, when panic and fear were the normal reactions. It was a time when healthcare workers and even their family members were shunned by others like the plague.
Has it really been that long that we have forgotten about it? Has it been that long so much so that it now seems perfectly all right to terminate the service of our senior workers?
For my father's work during the Sars crisis, he was awarded a $2 commemorative cupro-nickel coin as a tribute to the healthcare givers in recognition of their contributions in the battle against the disease.
You may say it is not much but at home, we had displayed it with pride as a reminder of how my father left home everyday to earn a simple, honest living in a place where people dread, at a time when a sneeze from someone in public transport would draw wierd, unwanted stares from everyone.
Let us be honest. Few people rose to meet the challenge which Sars presented when it struck. One fine day, my father came home with a piece of paper informing him that his services were no longer required. No reason was given.
After 35 years, what has my father to show for it? A $2 commemorative cupro-nickel coin and a piece of paper. We have since stored away the $2 cupro-nickel coin for what used to be a symbol of pride now seems to be mocking my father and his family.
Which is why I plead and urge that more should be done to recognise the many deeds that the senior members of the workforce have contributed in the building of our country.
Razali Mohamad -
I know the author of that forum letter is angry. But he should be happy. Perhaps that $2 coin could be sold 100 years later for millions of dollars.
-
seriously I dont find it funny.Originally posted by Cindyfeh:I know the author of that forum letter is angry. But he should be happy. Perhaps that $2 coin could be sold 100 years later for millions of dollars. -
Copper is not worth much. And what's more is that it is only $2. If make in pure gold and is $2, I would gladly keep it. Besides, gold lasts longer than copper because it is unreactive in air.
-
I share my sympathy with Mr Razali and his father on this. It is indeed sad that after rendering 35 years of restless service in the civil service, he was retrenched largely due to corporate restructuring although which in my opinion, is inevitable in today globalisation world as a form of cost saving or for better utilising of manpower.
The case for concern here is,
1. Are there any form of retrenchment remuneration package offered?
2. Any letter of recommendation so as to seek future employment easier?
3. Or any jobs offer across other statutory boards?
If the answer is no. Then I do hope that it is time for the government to look into it, either by erecting new labour laws or change its policy on the CPF retirement funds.
Despite having said that, I wish to point out that the $2 commemorative cupro-nickel coin served as a recognition for all health-care workers who have contributed tirelessly, their services during the SARS Crises as what Mr Razali father had did. For that, I believed fellow Singaporeans are appreciative.
-
Originally posted by Cindyfeh:I know the author of that forum letter is angry. But he should be happy. Perhaps that $2 coin could be sold 100 years later for millions of dollars.
Do not misunderstood Cindy. She is in fact a girl who has a big heart, though with a tint of sarcasm which most of us can't stand. If not, she would not has posted the matter here. Am I right or am I wrong? Hmm...Originally posted by Xcert:seriously I dont find it funny.
-
I can't find sacarsm in her words. Maybe my IQ a bit too low.Originally posted by TooFree:Do not misunderstood Cindy. She is in fact a girl who has a big heart, though with a tint of sarcasm which most of us can't stand. If not, she would not has posted the matter here. Am I right or am I wrong? Hmm... -
It's sad to know such a thing happened.
Indeed, it proves that workers are dispensable for the reason of maintaining profits and economical gains. Workers are not valuable at all in the eyes of the company.
The top management gets paid more and more and the lower rung workers get "honoured" with $2.
*sigh* -
that's why I invented.............Originally posted by ndmmxiaomayi:I can't find sacarsm in her words. Maybe my IQ a bit too low.
-
you are right.Originally posted by TooFree:Do not misunderstood Cindy. She is in fact a girl who has a big heart, though with a tint of sarcasm which most of us can't stand. If not, she would not has posted the matter here. Am I right or am I wrong? Hmm...
she is using sarcasm in her message. -
i think the $2 coin can be taken as an insult man.
-
This is a sick world.
-
the future really look unpromising.
-
hanor, no retirement package also..........Originally posted by Ray2:i think the $2 coin can be taken as an insult man. -
its getting very common.
-
weird..i just sumbitted a paper on ageism few months ago. Young people these days..aiya
-
pathetic.
i really feel sad for him.. -
it is keep of depressing hearing such news. the situation will definitely get worst.
-
maybe he should get more media coverage and make the matter known to more singaporeans, best is use tv. then maybe, just maybe, he would get many donations..
-
Indeed very bad way the government treat it own citizens. a $2 coin for 35 years of service while a mp get pay millions.....
this indian guy once worked in the army, then he work for the technology "XXX" when economic downturn they promising him that they will ask him back. he belive them and now he no job no money and have to work as security guard near chinese garden XXX Condo. he never get his retirement money. i dun know what he say is real or not as in this forum plus hidden monitoring... this is what he told me. -
Salary of a health attendant after 35 years of service around $800 or more. Salary of a young bangla who can do the same job is $400 or less. Since the givernment requires all ministries to cut manpower by 2% a year without affecting service quality, what do you think the hospitals will have to do?
Get rid of the older local workers and employ young banglas for half the amount and because they are younger, can do more work than the older ones. -
Originally posted by oxford mushroom:
Pity that doesn't apply to ministerial positions. I would give it a stab for just 10% of the current going rate!
Salary of a health attendant after 35 years of service around $800 or more. Salary of a young bangla who can do the same job is $400 or less. Since the givernment requires all ministries to cut manpower by 2% a year [b]without affecting service quality, what do you think the hospitals will have to do?
Get rid of the older local workers and employ young banglas for half the amount and because they are younger, can do more work than the older ones.[/b] -
in time you will see old folks either roaming the streets or rummaging the bustdins.
-
sigh, what can i say, government? appreciative? pffft.
-
it is now a common sight to see old folks asking people for money or rummaging the dustbins for empty cans.
what is this country becoming to?