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Working till we drop

From the archive, first published Tuesday 31st Dec 2002.

Like most working people, my years of toil were a struggle.

Our mostly low wages were heavily taxed and we assumed that provision was being made for us to be comfortable in old age.

As parents and grandparents, we tried our best to ensure that our children and grandchildren were well-educated to prepare them for work.

The experts now claim that people are living too long and that there is not enough money in the kitty to support the aged.

Their solution? People should work longer, save more, or do both. We educate young people, preparing them for work. If the older ones continue to work, presumably till they drop, where will the educated and trained young people find work?

Do they stay at home depending on their working parents and grandparents?

Or will they start thinking of their elders as rivals in the job market?

ROLSTON WILLIAMS

Harold White Close

Risinghurst

Oxford

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