How can we help older workers feel assured going to work, earn through their labor, and have protection against workplace injuries?

(Infographic: Zhao Chunqing)

“Several cleaning staff members have told me that their age no longer suits working on construction sites, but they are still willing to stay in the city to do cleaning, security, and other jobs.” During the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference this year, Tan Shuangjian, head of the water and electricity team at Beijing Construction Third Engineering Company’s Mechanical and Electrical Installation Branch, shared a conversation with cleaning staff at his residence, touching on a long-standing concern: employment for older workers.

Having worked in the construction industry for 30 years, Tan Shuangjian has seen many older construction workers who either want to continue working on-site or ask him to help find other employment opportunities.

Yin Qilong, a driver from the Second Branch of Chongqing Taxi Co., Ltd., also paid attention to this issue. Yin Qilong explained that many overage taxi drivers still have the ability and willingness to work, but previously had to leave their jobs due to the cancellation of their professional qualification certificates, forcing them to seek other employment.

According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, China has 323.38 million people aged 60 and above, with a large proportion of the low-aged elderly (60-64 years old). Most of these individuals are in good health and have a strong desire to participate socially.

Tan Shuangjian admitted that he often helps his older colleagues find suitable work, but his personal channels are limited, and he calls for joint efforts from the government and society. He suggests conducting basic skills training in cities tailored to older workers to meet employment standards; for returning rural workers of advanced age, creating dedicated employment and recruitment service zones to facilitate job matching and “the last mile” connection.

At the Fourth Session of the 14th National People’s Congress on March 7, during a press conference focused on people’s livelihoods, Wang Xiaoping, Minister of Human Resources and Social Security, announced that a series of skills training programs suitable for older workers would be launched, deepening labor cooperation and expanding employment opportunities for migrant workers.

While working to improve employment for older workers, safeguarding their labor rights during employment is equally important. Zheng Guo, a deputy supervisor and crane operator at the Beilun Ore Wharf Branch of Ningbo Zhoushan Port Co., Ltd., found through research that due to conflicts in laws and regulations and inconsistent local enforcement standards, most overage workers are not covered by work injury insurance, thus unable to enjoy related benefits. In case of work-related injuries, their treatment and compensation rights are difficult to guarantee, increasing the employment risks for enterprises.

In response, Tan Shuangjian suggested establishing pre-employment physical examinations for older workers to alleviate concerns from both employers and employees.

Zheng Guo proposed, from a systemic perspective, to develop a unified special regulation on work injury insurance rights for overage workers based on the “Provisional Regulations on Protecting the Basic Rights and Interests of Overaged Workers,” scientifically setting the age limit for work injury protection and clarifying standards and amounts for work injury compensation for older employees.

Policy warm winds continue to blow. Recently, the Ministry of Transport amended the “Regulations on the Management of Road Transport Practitioners,” adjusting the age requirement for drivers involved in commercial road passenger and freight transport to “no more than 63 years old.”

“The amendment is very timely and necessary! It doesn’t mean mandatory employment until 63, but allows capable and willing drivers to work with peace of mind, complete social security, increase income, and eliminate employment concerns,” said Yin Qilong.