You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
In some countries, it can be difficult for people over the age of 50 to get good jobs, despite their experience. What do you think are the causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to solve it?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
You should write at least 250 words.
Sample Answer 1:
Young people are often considered over the old ones by most organisations. The percentage of people losing their jobs due to their age as they advance beyond 50 is alarmingly more in some countries. Such problems are a matter of great concern and must be addressed for a better economic state of a nation.
It is first essential to examine the reasons leading to this problem. To begin with, the major factor promoting such paradigm is non-reform labour laws. In some countries, there is no mention of the maximum number of working hours in the laws one company can make its employee work. Not just this if such laws exist then they are not fully enforced. In such instances, most companies expect its worker to work more than 10 hours a day which they feel is difficult for an old to person to put in a day. Further, an old person would have to be paid more than a young amateur person for having greater experience when the job can be managed with persons with less knowledge. In addition, old people are believed to be less flexible and physically active than the young generation and hence often refuse for a job.
Thus, it very important for a country to take measures to solve this issue for the welfare of the citizens. Firstly, a reform law should be passed that allow a company to take work for fixed hours from its employees. Secondly, steps should be taken to check if the law is correctly followed by its citizens. Thirdly, some fitness promoting initiatives should be taken so that old people are fit to do any job the like. Finally, companies should be barred from refusing anybody on the ground of the age.
To conclude, people above 50 years of age are less favoured for a job owing to numerous reasons. It is essential for a country, to take strict measures to tackle such issues, in order to grow and take good care of its citizens.
[ Written by – Riya Nagpal ]
Sample Answer 2:
It is certainly true that these days due to the advancements in the field of science and technology, most of the employers opt the fresh graduates to employ. However, aged people obviously have guts and accomplishments to climb the ladder of corporate hierarchy. It is high time, one must think of the experience and the positive outlook the elder people have towards any aspect. Nevertheless, there are apparent ways to solve it.
To begin with, the main reasons could be the age factor, productivity, lowered work output, a way of thinking and mostly people over the age of 50 are usually Luddites. Today, all tasks primarily are being accomplished by using technology. Moreover, as the aged person generally may not be tech-savvy, this might be one possible reason for not recruiting them in good jobs. Furthermore, as a person becomes old, one would suffer from health implications which hinder the productivity at workplace. Nevertheless, it is undeniable fact that, some older people willingly do not want to work; they might want to spend their rest of the retired life with their children and grandchildren. Taking into considerations all the points it is clear why people over the age of 50 generally are not recruited in good jobs despite their experience.
On the other hand, according to me, how much ever the technology develops, experience always stands ahead of the knowledge of novices. Hence, certain measures should be taken to address this moot issue. What I suggest is that the government can pay a crucial role by allotting employment allowances to the elder people. Next, the corporate companies perhaps, think to form an expert team comprising of aged people who could guide the younger employees to ensure the success of an organisation.
To summarise, I believe that, there are several reasons behind this controversial issue and the possible consequences, but, by excluding these, the elder people should be given respect and a chance to prove their talent and experience.
[ Written by – Rahul ]