Latest update December 25th, 2024 1:10 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Can we afford to up the retirement age?

Jan 17, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
I recently read Freddie Kissoon’s article, “Is the white man smarter than 3rd world people?” and it makes me wonder whether Mr. Kissoon is truly committed to everything he writes about.
According to him, the white man has left countries like Guyana way behind because of their progressiveness by having a higher retirement age (65 and above), Guyana is still stuck on 55 because we inherited it from our colonial masters. That may be so but there is a reason for this.
You, above all persons, Mr. Kissoon, should know that “life expectancy” is the key determinant for retirement. In developed countries, life expectancy is way greater than that of Guyana. In the United States, it is about 72 for men and 73 for women, so it would seem logical that people do not want to be put out to pasture too soon. Add to that the superior medical technology, which help people to live longer than the expectancy level and you begin to get the idea why the retirement age can be floated in developed countries. I have no reason to believe that Guyana’s life expectancy rate has risen that much from the “colonial era 55”. Having individuals in undeveloped countries work until they choose to retire has its advantages and disadvantages.
The upside is that you have a more skilled and knowledgeable work force, better equipped to handle the country’s needs. The downside is that there will be limited opportunities for society’s young and emerging talent, who will be forced to wait upon that “aged” employee’s decision to call it quits. Guyana has a young workforce which is underemployed. I am not a supporter of any political party but I am aware of people’s criticisms of the government’s failure to create jobs for its youth. Can the country truly afford to up the retirement age thereby making opportunities lesser for its youth?
And one more thing, Mr. Kissoon, no matter what the pundits may think, people will always gravitate towards what they perceive to be in their best interests. Greed has its own self rewards. Based on the number of foreign nationals living in the United States of America, it is safe to conclude that the brain drain from undeveloped countries will not abate in the foreseeable future, regardless of what the governments may do to keep their intelligentsia at home. Almost everyone is after a piece of the “American Pie”.
Hubert Rodney

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

The wait is over, all roads lead to KMTC for their Grand Boxing Day Horse race meet

The wait is over, all roads lead to KMTC for their Grand Boxing Day...

Dec 25, 2024

Over 70 entries in as $7M in prizes at stake  By Samuel Whyte Kaieteur Sports- The time has come and the wait is over and its gallop time as the biggest event for the year-end season is set for the...
Read More
Xhiya Hercules – flipping the script towards Gymnastics history for Guyana

Xhiya Hercules – flipping the script towards...

Dec 25, 2024

Road Warriors, Bent Street, Team Cruel & Gold Is Money into quarter-finals

Road Warriors, Bent Street, Team Cruel &...

Dec 25, 2024

Deol maiden hundred outshines Matthews’ as India take series

Deol maiden hundred outshines Matthews’ as...

Dec 25, 2024

Moraikobai village two days football competition and fun day set for Old and New Year’s Day

Moraikobai village two days football competition...

Dec 25, 2024

BCB thanks cricket fraternity for strong support in 2024

BCB thanks cricket fraternity for strong support...

Dec 25, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]