Population ageing is a process no longer confined to industrialized
countries. Many developing countries are now also experiencing ageing of
their populations, reflected by the rising share of the elderly in the
total population. Not only are developing countries ageing, they are
ageing at a much faster rate and at a much earlier stage of economic
development, thus placing them at a greater disadvantage in terms of
their ability to respond to ageing developments. The availability of
domestic resources, for example, to finance ageing pressures on public
finances and public services are likely to be more limited. In addition,
the political timeframe available to formulate and implement appropriate
policy responses will be shorter. Developing countries are confronting
ageing pressures at a time when social security coverage is still
limited to a minority of the better-off elderly population, and when the
systems of protection which have supported the elderly in the past are
gradually eroding. Old age is commonly associated with retirement,
illness and dependency. Most government jobs have set the retirement age
at sixty. However, in a country such as India, where no universal social
security exists, people tend to work as long as they can: About seventy
percent of the elderly in India still work like the rest of the adults.
It is important to recognize the strengths of the old and empower them
rather than to adopt a paternalistic attitude that can have devastating
impact on the self-esteem of the elderly citizens. This study takes a
close look at silver workers in Vadodara, India, who are working in
their retirement age. By undertaking such a research, the government and
civil society will be enabled to provide a better work environment for
the silver workers.
