Many Singaporeans like me would recall the familiar sight of the diminutive, frail-looking old lady who went around collecting cardboard boxes along the streets of Chinatown and South Bridge Road. Certainly, almost anyone who had driven along South Bridge Road at the junction of One George Street (outside the former Pidemco Centre) would have probably viewed her as a serious road hazard. Her heavy push-cart piled high with bulky cardboard boxes of all sizes often occupied one entire lane for vehicles.
However, whenever I saw this gnarled old lady, who must have well been in her 70’s, I couldn’t help but feel a distinct tug on my heartstrings. The image of her struggling with the weight of the boxes – she was almost bent double over – and her tireless efforts to collect as many cardboard boxes as possible to make a livelihood left an indelible impression on me.
During my lunch hour when I was working around Raffles Place, I remember walking around Maxwell market, and along Mosque Street and Pagoda Street in the hope of chancing upon this lady so that I could give her a token sum to help tide her over the next couple of days. I managed to meet her on three occasions and was heartened when her face would crinkle, as she smiled broadly and said thanks in Hokkien for my little gesture.
Till today, whenever I see an elderly person clearing the dustbins or digging into foul smelling rubbish piles in the hope of finding an empty tin can, I cannot help but feel more than a passing flicker of sadness. I would always reach into my wallet and hand them a small token, which could at least help them with a couple of meals.
I would always ask myself: What if that old lady digging into rubbish bins for used drink cans was my grandmother? How would I feel about her having to work hard and long at such an age when she should be enjoying precious time spent with her loved ones after having worked hard for so many decades?
On a crowded train or bus I have seen countless teenagers, working professionals and students deliberately avoiding eye contact with these older passengers, or suddenly feigning sleep, so as to avoid having to give up their seats.
What has happened to the good old values of filial piety, respect for our elders and care and compassion for those weaker than us? Sadly, many do not remember, much less practise, these values today.
Going forward, I cannot help but wonder about the future of Singapore society. Is economic success the rightful measure of the development of a country? Should everything be seen through an economic lens? In particular, can traditional values such as filial piety and compassion – that we cannot easily attach a monetary value to – survive the onslaught of globalisation in a country like Singapore which emphasises heavily on meritocracy?
Without doubt, globalisation puts a higher premium on skills, knowledge and flexibility; the less skilled will have to compete with a large population of low-wage workers. Meritocracy rewards people in accordance with their abilities; the more able are unquestionably valued and paid more highly. However, this also means that the less skilled and in particular the elderly, may find it increasingly difficult to earn a living as their capacity to absorb new skills may be severely limited due to their age or health.
Indeed, a profile of the workforce provided by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) released in February 2007 reported that 68% of older workers (defined as those aged 50 and above) were employed in low-skilled jobs. Amongst full-timers, older workers tend to work longer hours, vis-à-vis those who are younger.
Whilst it is ideal if meritocracy is, in PM Lee’s words, “moderated by a sense of community and a strong commitment to give back to society” (ST 5 January 2007), will such appeals fall on deaf ears? And if so, what redress can those affected seek?
In the words of Professor Dani Rodrick from Harvard University: “In promoting globalisation, it is imperative to ensure that international economic integration does not contribute to domestic social disintegration”. (ST 26 March 2007).
Old people are vulnerable to the vicissitudes of moral consciousness. Society must not abandon them just because they can no longer contribute efficiently to society, or because their skills are much less appreciated in our knowledge-based economy. After contributing the prime of their lives to the building of our nation, are we to leave them to the fate of market forces simply because their skills are much less appreciated in our knowledgebased economy?
Think about this: will the meritocratic system that we vehemently advocate when we are well-placed to enjoy its benefits now, end up working against us in the future when we are old and helpless, and when skills training, upgrading or job redesignation are beyond our reach?