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‘Arrest 65yrs Retirement Age’
Zambians want more money but not more years . It is very astonishing to hear the cabinet up the retirement age by ten years for the Zambian working class citizen. This surprises every genuine altruistic Zambian as it is about to be done in the midst of job scarcity.
Only a selfish working class citizen would egg on the cabinet to increase the retirement age without considering the masses of youths living in dire need of employment as the only way to alleviate poverty. The question one needs ask himself or herself is, does job creation grow in tandem with the annual rise of population? The answer is certainly not. Now let us consider the following facts of how negatively this is going to impact our economic set up:
Attrition
Towns that have had no employment creation , her residents will have been denied access to employment for the next ten years resulting into double impact plus that of attrition. Workers will get stuck in their jobs because there will be no job displacement as it is a pattern. In this case, I would cite konkola Copper Mines (KCM) as typical example where attrition is practised.
Low Productivity
The older one grows, the more the power to perform wanes.There shall be less input resulting into lower output because the workers will be exhausted especially the ones performing blue collar jobs in industries.
Therefore, the Gross Production will be affected negatively.
Altruism
The youths of today will feel neglected , rejected by the current crop of politicians and harshly judge it as a selfish generation of
Posted by Admin
on June 4, 2013. Filed under LATEST NEWS.
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Jab
June 4, 2013 at 6:46 pm
Retirement age should reduce to 50 yrs,…
Dimma
June 5, 2013 at 1:33 pm
I agree.
mbulo
June 4, 2013 at 7:11 pm
Wht criteria ws used to limbikila 65 ?To be truthful,65yrs was a bit too much.These are de things tht bring confusion Esp when a party is voted out.already debate is tense.
Max Mbizo
June 4, 2013 at 7:31 pm
Arguments on the issue of retirement require correct demographic analysis. If one examines the age pyramid for Zambia based on the 2010 census, it shows that Zambians aged over 55 years make up only 5.5 percent of the total population of the country; those above 60 years, only 4 percent; and those above 65 years, only 2,7 percent. What this simply means is that 94.5 percent of the population is below 55 years. Given these facts, how can one argue that by raising the retirement age to 65 years, older people will be blocking the career progression of younger people? How can so few block so many?
Older people shouldn’t be used as scapegoats for the high youth unemployment levels. The problem is of youth unemployment is largely due to the fact there are too many young people entering the labour market and competing for the very few jobs available. Why are there so many youths? This is simply because Zambian women are giving birth to too many children. On average, a woman in her reproductive years in this country gives birth to 6 children. It is not older people, past menopause, who should be blamed for this!! The culprits responsible for producing more children are young sexually active men and women.
What younger people should also realize is that among these 5.5 percent of those above 55 years are some very highly educated Zambians with doctorates in specialized fields like medicine, physics, chemistry, economics, et cetera. Do you just retire such people just because they are over 55 years to satisfy a young graduate thirst for a job? Age per se shouldn’t be a factor in retaining someone in the labour force. Retain someone regardless of age as long as they have the desire, motivation, and passion for the work they do. In American and European universities, you still find elderly professors, some in their eighties, who are even more active and productive in both teaching and research, compared to their younger colleagues.
Stereotyping older people in negative terms characterizes this misdirected youths writing making him guilty of blatant age discrimination. In his view, an older person should be discarded because they suffer from dementia, senility, and other afflictions of old age. I get the impression that Mfune is one of those prejudiced youths brought up in a severely restricted environment where the only older people he encounters are mentally and physically disabled. Has this youth ever come across some brilliant academics like some professor some of us had the privilege to meet, who are well into their nineties, but are more eloquent and articulate than academics half their age? Has he ever heard of Professor Stephen Hawking of Cambridge University who, despite his debilitating medical condition and advanced age, is considered to be the most brilliant physicist of this century? Doesn’t this misguided youth not appreciate that the youth, the middle aged, and old can play complementary and harmonioius roles in the collective effort to develop this country?
TC
June 5, 2013 at 8:15 am
Well put. People should learn to argue with facts, and Max Mbizo has just demonstrated that. People want to put the blame for unemployment on the wrong variable. It is like mopping water on the floor, instead of turning off the tap!
The Academician
June 5, 2013 at 9:01 am
well reasoned
OLD WOMAN
June 5, 2013 at 10:09 am
I too agree with you, a lot young people are not serious. An example is where I work, most of them spend time browsing the internet and on face book. They are not serious because most if not all are dependants while some of us work tirelessly without rest knowing that we have a big family to look after. Most youths, including Mfune are dependants who do not provide for anyone except the night clubs and alcohol are beneficiaries of their money. I keep about 8 people in my home, and only one of them is employed and gets a meagre salary which cannot sustain all of us if I left employment. I applaud the government for the move. One old person working is like ten youths working in terms of productivity and responsibility.
Kibinda waba Kabwa
June 5, 2013 at 10:34 am
Well argued bwana, and I can tell that you have been to developed worlds and that your level of education is very high. Sharp analysis, based on facts, not anecdotes. I hope many can read your argument, otherwise ageism is an issue in Zambia. Am scared soo my mom will be labelled a “Ndoshi” or “Mfwiti” because of her age. Typical of our way of life.
chipolopolo
June 5, 2013 at 2:17 pm
Max Mbizo, its clear that you are not a civil servant, shallow reasoning!
richard chileshe
June 4, 2013 at 7:31 pm
65 is 2 much 4 us youth who are n nid of job it shud reduce to 50
Mundia M
June 5, 2013 at 2:42 pm
Richard Chileshe, go back to Max Mbozis’ excellent analysis. 5.5% of population cannot be replaced by 94.5% of the youths in terms of job vacancies.
Your reasoning is totally archaic and you should start thinking outside the box.
For the above 55 years old who feel too encumbered by their jobs and lose the capabilities to function effectively, they can opt for early retirement.
kabova
June 4, 2013 at 7:34 pm
at least 55 but 65 is bad. problem is that political players are today want to fall within that age ceiling. someone in their forties or thirties or below are pushed to be among the youth leaguers or spend time as cadres. the old guns are controlling but its a matter of time,,,we hv seen it in the mid east and soon will be here. if majority rules then the youths should be in power today.
nshilimubemba
June 4, 2013 at 7:54 pm
let this age thing be optional but the mark be 65yrs. let those who want to retire go at 45, 50, 55, 60 and the last to go at 65years
BaNkoya
June 4, 2013 at 8:49 pm
Nonsense how can the cabinet worst the taxipayer’s money and later speak useless 65yrs retirement age? I will retire at 45yrs and claim my money,period!
Waona
June 4, 2013 at 9:51 pm
All these issues will be REVERSED by the next government!
Fault Finder
June 4, 2013 at 10:28 pm
After reading Max Mbizo’s comment, I quit reading the rest. By the way I didn’t even finish reading uninformed Mfune’s crap. I find no fault with Max’s wisdom. These job-hunting kids are talking nonsense. I’m for 65!
ING'OMBE ILEDE
June 4, 2013 at 10:59 pm
I am a worker in the Ministry of Community Development, Mother & Child Health (Dept of Community Development)
1. 65 yrs means PF government will not pay any retired worker because another government would be in.term of office is Ten yrs
2. they want to use the money for their benefit
3. let us give chance to other coming youths
4. this is NOT good, let it be option for those who are not prepared, as for me even today i can go.
Kennedy
June 5, 2013 at 10:52 am
Just go!
bandockcent
June 5, 2013 at 10:54 am
i think you are right, these guys want to create problems for other gvt to come.
they want to impress pipo that they are doing the best for the poor but they are not, ther a bunch of thieves.
mamaj.
June 4, 2013 at 11:04 pm
Nikfunta uku wen are we goin to change muu zambia twnaka I wish to stand as a presdent
ba Mfune Ukusabaila
June 5, 2013 at 12:57 am
Stoopid article Stoopid comments save for Max Mbizo
Ukutumpa
June 5, 2013 at 1:10 am
Mwebo ba Mfune you speak gobbledegook. Retirement age will be increased to 65 for civil servants not for all. That aside only 4 percent of the population is employed when over 55. Therefore very few people over 55 will be working up to 65 So this won’t block youths from employment.
princo
June 5, 2013 at 2:17 am
many of you will die b4 65yrs. Retire early and enjoy your money. If you joined govt an old man thats your problem.
Ukutumpa
June 5, 2013 at 2:55 am
Mfune is pretending to be learned when he isn’t
Ukutumpa
June 5, 2013 at 2:58 am
He is citing old age conditions you know zilch about.
Ukutumpa
June 5, 2013 at 2:59 am
He is citing old age conditions he knows nothing about.
Ukutumpa
June 5, 2013 at 3:09 am
Conditions like senility occur mostly in people in the 80s
John Smith
June 5, 2013 at 3:56 am
Ba Mfune you speak gobbledegook. Retirement age has been increased to 65 for civil servants not for all. That aside only 4 perrcent of the population are employed over 55. what are subheads like altruism doing in your article? You are pretending to be educated only to post balderdash.
Village Chicken
June 5, 2013 at 4:55 am
Prof Stephen Hawking is a prominent individual unlike the crap in PF. Welcome Space Tourism!!!
kakolwe
June 5, 2013 at 5:50 am
At one time I was privileged to compare the youthful prof Lungwangwa & old prof Kelly both of UNZA. The youth was pathetic. Years later he learned the ropes b4 joining politics.
kakolwe
June 5, 2013 at 5:57 am
@princo, has anybody ever tried to teach you how to make yo money work for you & not just working for yo money? That way, mwaice, you never are afraid of not enjoying yo mula at any time
truthful
June 5, 2013 at 8:04 am
i agree with the Gvt,let the retirement age go up to 65. at 65 people still have strength and a world of expertise.
unlike our parents who had kids when they were still teenagers people are starting to have kids at 30 or later,the addittional years will help us to ensure that our children finish varsity then we can rest.
thats my opinion!
wesu
June 5, 2013 at 8:06 am
Retire early and use your package wisely,50 years is better.not 65 and all those rubbish.Those supporting 65yrs are retired civil servants who have misused their pension and want to stay on “until death do us part” principle does not apply in employment twapapata.Am 40 and wish to retire at 45yrs or 50yrs.No kushilako abaiche.
wesu
June 5, 2013 at 8:08 am
if God can “retire” a woman at 40yrs,who are we to start looking for otherwise lets think in those lines.45 – 50yrs is good enough
Mundia M
June 5, 2013 at 2:49 pm
Wesu, are you for real? Who told you God retires women at 40 years? Stop displaying your ignorance here. Your comment is totally absurd!!!
zambian
June 5, 2013 at 9:40 am
Mulefwaya mukafwile pa ncito mwa? shileniko inchito abana benu,those for 65 years are simply selfish and are afraid of life without work, 55 is ok.
Nyongani
June 5, 2013 at 11:16 am
A very good topic for campaign in next elections. Reduction to 50 years is preferable in view of Zambia’s life span. We are not in the western world of affluence.
Mundia M
June 5, 2013 at 2:58 pm
Nyongani, yours is a valid argument against the increment of age retirement. Zambia being a LDC with poor health facilities and low life expectancy, it is unwise to increase the retirement age from 55 to 65 years old as most people will pass on before they retire.
However, the reverse argument of this coin is that the same can be said of the current 55 years retirement age as it is way beyond an average Zambian life expectancy.
Mwendapole
June 5, 2013 at 11:34 am
Another revalation of the poor reading culture that we as Zambians have. Even after one Max Mbuzi puting up a well researched argument the bafoons still go ahead and post crap. So in short the only thing they see is 65yrs without analysing sh*t.Guys lets learn to reason objectively
Dimma
June 5, 2013 at 12:48 pm
Debt shift and greed is what Cabinet is all about. This is why they sold the houses in Chiluba’s time coz they knew it was an offer he wouldn’t refuse. Surprisingly, they ran out accommodation a few years later and started preaching more housing.
…And what criteria will be used to put workers on an equilibrium footing with those with no accommodation? Say, I rent an apartment for Kr2000; and someone else loses housing allowance of Kr200, does this make sense?
What a bunch Lunatics! A bunch retards!
Dimma
June 5, 2013 at 12:54 pm
I think they are failing on one major issue, as a suggestion: pay off the old marriage before you embark on a new one.
I think this common sense is enough for the wise.
Ndaje Kahks
June 5, 2013 at 1:06 pm
Simply put, even if people retire at 20 years, there wont be enough jobs around. Besides all of are increasing in age so if you stop this remember that at one time you will regret when you are asked to leave employment at 50 years.
Dimma
June 5, 2013 at 1:15 pm
I’m forty five and I wish I had quit sometime back. Mostly it is thieve who thrive on government coffers who want to linger on, take my word for it.
Ndaje Kahks
June 5, 2013 at 1:07 pm
We need proper security for retirement. Not what we have been used to. You retire only to end up as a charcoal burner somewhere in Kapoto.
Dimma
June 5, 2013 at 3:20 pm
Or a criminal blowing up banks!
INDUNA
June 5, 2013 at 2:30 pm
asdxwa
chomba
June 5, 2013 at 2:54 pm
PF is a one term govt, by signing such an Act they are implying that they do not intend to pay any retirees during their term of office.
They are simply creating problems for the next govt.
Mundia M
June 5, 2013 at 3:16 pm
Chomba, are you for real? PF will have to pay retirees who left their jobs long before they enacted this law. Go back to the 2012 budget and you will find a line for retirement packages. Even MMD paid a lot of UNIP retirees. The current government is not the one that will pay the retirement packages of the people retiring today, that is not how it works.
This kind of thinking is really sad and can give a knowledgeable person a headache.
Nalishe bo
June 5, 2013 at 3:11 pm
Mundia M your comment is senseless
Dimma
June 5, 2013 at 3:22 pm
I agree!
levison mutobapolala
June 5, 2013 at 4:52 pm
People of my land I think Max Mbizo has siad it all. well analysed. In addition may be it should be optional one can retire at 5o, 55, 60, or 65 for as long as someone is an asset in an organization and is a performer and intelligent and committed too.
Bravo PF GO GO GO ba tata ba SATA. Ala those talking about business they can go ahead and retire but we have seen people really go down with thir business kabili they have money as young men and women and they want to outshine each each. Awe mwandi ine nipali ka 65 nangu fye 70 cos I see how my parents look after us ala nga bafola they spend their money wisely tatuchulila nely kamo but when I went to stay with my big bro, ya ya ya it was chaotic watning an expensive car, expensive clothes uku nako ba mulamu nabo brazillian hair
Banda
June 5, 2013 at 10:03 pm
65 years is optional after one has attained 55 years and the fact is after 55 years,people gain experience and perform better.How old are high court and supreme court judges as well as most Permanent Secretaries ? and yet they are performing…stop playing politics o.k !
HOT CHIC
June 6, 2013 at 7:42 am
65yrs? Our life expectancy or mortality rate does not go that far. It means people will die before getting their retirement package. You know how it is in Zambia. The children and relatives to the deceased will fail to get their parents hard earned money. We have seen people building shacks outside inter- city bus terminus waiting to get their benefits.Surely 65 is too much. Let it be optional.
Dimma
June 6, 2013 at 8:33 am
and Yes, by which time someone would be walking by the support of the stick! Get the person paid, then re-engage them if you still need their contribution.
lol!
June 6, 2013 at 1:34 pm
55yrs as retirement age was reached at after it was noticed that very few zambians could live beyond or up to that due to incurable illnesses,but now with increased/improved nutrition, medical care and facilities many have a possibility of living and remaining active beyond 55yrs old, hence I would applaud the idea /somehere between 60 and 65