I get this question a lot from my non-Singaporean friends. My most recent friends who have asked me this question are from Myanmar and Thailand. Both of them asked me why are there loads of old folks working in fast food restaurants and food courts in Singapore. Although Singapore is above Thailand and Myanmar economically, the way we treat our elderly is a big disgrace compared to most countries of Southeast Asia.

This complicated question can be answered with the following explanations:

• Singapore has the worst pension scheme in the Asia/Pacific region in terms of its replacement rate as reported by OECD. OECD’s definition of a pension’s replacement rate as the value of the pension for specific individuals as a percentage of their earnings when working. The average Singaporean cannot expect to receive a sizeable pension from the CPF scheme to live a decent life.
• Singapore has an unbelievably high cost of living. Mercer’s Cost of Living Survey 2008 reported that Singapore is ranked the 13th most expensive city in the world, ahead of big cities like Sydney, New York, Dublin and Melbourne. It is very difficult to live a decent and cheap life in Singapore, especially when you are old.
• Singapore will raise its retirement age from 62 to 65, which will cause more old folks to work a couple more years before they can receive their almost worthless pensions.
• Singapore has no minimum wage and no independent workers’ unions. You may pay the elderly whatever you want and they have no means to complain against you.
• Most Singaporeans can hardly keep themselves afloat in this harsh and unforgiving country. Therefore, they cannot afford to take care of 100% of their parents’ medical and daily needs. That is why some old folks have to work to get a bit more money to get by.
• A lot of old folks love to hang around in public parks to exercise and chat with their mates. If they feel tired and want to take a nap in the park, they might get fined SGD $200. Kiss goodbye to half a month’s salary!

This is just one of the many reasons why I will not allow myself or my mother to grow old in such a society. I am in the process of getting my 60 + year old mum out of this country so that she can retire happily in Australia. She is waiting for my Australian PR to get approved before she can apply for her own Australian PR because 50% or more of her kids have to be Australian PRs or citizens. She does not mind paying about AUD $30,000 to get her Australian PR because it is worth every penny of it.

I will be flying back to Singapore tomorrow to settle some personal matters like selling off most of my stuff, get my Thailand visa in order and complete all the paperwork for my cats. I really wish things were different but as long as things stay the same or get worse, there is not a chance of me going back to Singapore to live permanently.

Tagged As: Singapore, Southeast Asia

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