About 88% of senior citizens aren’t covered under any adequate security scheme. And in the scenario when the children do not provide any help, this leaves them economically vulnerable. 

NGO Nightingale Empowerment Foundation works to assure a dignified life to senior citizens through employment under the Jobs60+ program.

We thought of having a candid chat with the co-founders over a phone call. Dr. Radha S. Murthi told us about the foundation and that they have various other programs for senior citizens like the day-care and the emotional center.

She said, “We have been conducting job fairs for a long time now. Bangalore fair is our 5^th job fair, and it’s at a bigger scale, wherein it is conducted in association with Skill Corporation of Karnataka, a government body. We invite the senior citizens who aren’t covered under any pension scheme. These people generally don’t have support from their children or are in some dire situations. More often, they work to support their living and become independent. On the part of an employer, they are an asset because senior citizens aren’t influenced by the market trends and don’t switch their jobs frequently. We register these people, train them and try to fit them in the right workforce.”

Indian Women Blog: How often do elder women approach you for the job?

Dr. Murthi: Well, not very often. The majority are men of 60-70 years old. However, once a woman approached us, saying that she wasn’t married and had very old parents and a sister back home. She wanted to earn money so that she could support them.

Indian Women Blog: What makes them apply for the job?

Dr. Murthi: Most of them want to be independent so that they don’t have to approach their children for finances or just want to overcome personal problems they are facing. Like one senior citizen came to us, whose only son was handicapped and the wife wasn’t well.

Indian Women Blog: You provide the training too.

Dr. Murthi: They are with us for a month before they proceed to work with their ultimate employer. However, while they are here, they get connected with each other and socialize a lot that boosts their confidence and makes them up-to-date.

Indian Women Blog: What kind of job they seek?

Dr. Murthi: They look for jobs that are related to administration, supervision, mentoring, cashier, etc.

Indian Women Blog: Any success story?

Dr. Murthi: We usually keep in touch and ask for their feedbacks. A lot of times, they tell that they are happy. It happens that they aren’t able to fit in the environment because they don’t like the work style or being administered by anyone. They even jokingly tell us that they will prove the world that the age is no bar.

Indian Women Blog: How does the interview look?

Dr. Murthi: Employers are generally sensible. They simply consider the past work experience and have a set of specifications like physical and geographic conditions, to offer jobs. However, we train these people on how to present themselves before a job provider and allow them to meet three employers.

Indian Women Blog: Who are these employers?

Dr. Murthi: Apollo Pharmacy, Maharaja Agrasen Bhavan, SRS Travels, Jain Group of Institutions, Shree groups, and many others are there.

Indian Women Blog: Do you plan anything when you get elder?

Dr. Murthi: She laughed loudly. I don’t know. I may plan something to set an example!