Since its posting, the viral post of a hunchbacked, elderly Grab food deliverer has garnered over 650 shares on Facebook.
According to major food delivery companies in Singapore, there are about 300 delivery riders aged 60 and above who hit the road to send food to hungry customers.
The sight of one such elderly Grab food deliverer moved the heart of one Facebook user.
Facebook user Nazri Johari, who shared the picture of a hunch-backed, elderly food deliverer, said: “How I wish that the leaders of our country have the heart to help these kind of people in our country.”
This small but growing group of seniors makes up one to two per cent of the companies’ delivery fleet. These seniors are finding a new lease of life, riding motorbikes or electric scooters to deliver food to stay active and augment their retirement income.
In 2019, PAP MP Henry Kwek said, “The numbers are very small but there are elderly persons who want and need to supplement their income, and the rise of the sharing economy can mean more freelancing job opportunities for seniors.”
He added, “The issue is access to these roles. More can be done to strengthen their digital literacy, either by offering specific courses to seniors on how they can use such mobile apps more effectively or Workforce Singapore can perhaps work with seniors to tap the availability of such jobs.”
Nazri said he saw the elderly food deliverer on February 13 and had mixed feelings about him. “Felt pity for him but at the same time felt proud of him.”
“Because he still has that energy and responsibilities towards himself to to survive in this cruel world of ours. Is this what we, children wants to see in our old and vulnerable parents? Of course not. How I wish that the leaders of our country have the heart to help these kind of people in our country. I pray that all dads and grandfathers will be loved and cared for by their own children. To all parents out there, be strong to face this world of uncertainties.”
People who commented and shared Nazri’s post said that they felt sorry for the elderly Grab food deliverer. They wished that something could be done for him.
Some riders have previously expressed that the job of a delivery rider is easy and gives them the independence and flexibility to earn extra pocket money on their own schedule.
Four years ago, a survey by health insurance survey company Cigna found out that Singapore’s financial score is one of the lowest, with 85 per cent of respondents reporting that they have insufficient money for retirement. 54 per cent of Singaporeans said they are suffering from economic downturns.
Even without pay, people want to stay involved beyond the retirement age; this mindset increases with age and involvement often includes volunteerism, with 31 per cent of those above the age of 50 in Singapore saying they plan to volunteer
