China has issued guidelines to encourage seniors to volunteer in community services and help underdeveloped areas, as the country struggles to cope with the rapidly spreading epidemic. Population aging And reduce the workforce. The National Commission on Aging has published a series of guidelines for the initiative and the government has introduced new guidelines for silver age workIt was introduced two decades ago to promote volunteer work for the elderly, according to a statement from the Ministry of Civil Affairs on Friday.
“We aim to promote the work of the Silver Age, improve its quality and effectiveness, protect the rights of older persons to participate in economic and social development, as well as to achieve meaningful social commitment,” the guidelines state.
The committee urged local authorities to integrate the Silver Age initiative into regional cooperation between eastern and western provinces, as well as development plans within provinces, to guide educated seniors to support less developed areas.
He encouraged the elderly to volunteer in community activities, and urged local authorities to help them participate in patrols, childcare, elderly care, disability care and support for disadvantaged or unassisted children, referring to children who stay in rural areas while their parents go to work in big cities.
The guidelines come as the world’s second-largest economy grapples with an economic meltdown and mounting pressures from a rapidly aging population and shrinking workforce.
In 2023, China’s population aged 60 and above will reach 297 million, accounting for more than 21.1 percent of the total population, while the number of people aged 65 and above will exceed 217 million, accounting for 15.4 percent, according to government data.
The Economist Intelligence Unit predicted earlier this year that the proportion of people over 60 years old will reach 32.7 percent of China’s population by 2035.
The guidelines call for a portion of volunteer positions at major events to be allocated to older people. Furthermore, they encourage authorities to create an online platform to help match the supply and demand of volunteers.
The committee also called for further research and promotion of the initiative by collecting examples “to show the spirit of seniors who, like old horses, continue to struggle and contribute positively to society.”
According to the guidelines, the Silver Age programme is set to become a long-term, “institutionalised and standardised” programme by 2026. By 2028, it aims to establish itself as a “major brand” for seniors engaged in society and contributing to their life skills.
Last week, China’s top legislature approved a plan to gradually increase Retirement age For up to five years by 2040Retirement age It will increase by a few months each year starting in January.
From 2030, the minimum contribution period required to receive a basic pension will gradually increase from the current 15 years to 20 years over a decade.
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