Desperate Plea for Help: Singaporean Son Seeks Job Opportunities for His Retrenched Father

In a heartfelt post on the popular Reddit community r/askSingapore, a young man from Singapore is urging for assistance after his 63-year-old father was retrenched from his clerical position, previously earning S$2,800 a month. This incident highlights the growing challenges many elderly workers face in securing employment amidst the competitive job market.

The son shared that his father, despite being in relatively good health and equipped with basic conversational skills in both English and Chinese, has struggled to find new job opportunities since losing his clerical position. With his father now unemployed, the son has reluctantly taken on the role of the family's sole breadwinner, navigating the financial strain as a fresh graduate.

“I am really worried about our situation. My father has been actively job hunting, but unfortunately, he's not had much success,” he wrote. “We are hoping to find job options like office pantry cleaners, security guards, or similar roles that do not expose him to cigarette smoke, as he suffers from emphysema.”

The post quickly gained traction, attracting numerous responses from kind-hearted community members eager to share job leads and advice. Many commenters suggested that the father might consider applying for a security officer position, which offers monthly pay similar to his previous job. Others pointed out that community centers often have openings that could be suitable for seniors.

Some users suggested exploring employment opportunities in the Food and Beverage (F&B) sector, while others recommended potential jobs at airports, hotels, malls, or even becoming a Grab driver, where flexible hours might accommodate the father's health needs.

In light of these discussions, the son offered an inspiring update: “Thank you all for your suggestions! We've started contacting some leads and are hopeful.”

For those in similar positions, it’s worth noting that Singaporean seniors aged 50 and above can take advantage of the Employment Support for Seniors programme. This initiative, managed by the Centre for Seniors (CFS) with the backing of Workforce Singapore, helps connect older job seekers with meaningful employment opportunities.

As job security becomes a pressing issue among the aging population, this touching story serves as a reminder of the importance of community support and the need for targeted programs aiding senior employment. Will this son find the help his father desperately needs? The answer may just lie in the compassion of a community ready to assist.