A large number of senior citizens from different backgrounds - engineers, technicians, supervisors, administrators, teachers, accountants, data entry operators and so on -are expected to participate.

In an effort to help senior citizens secure jobs post-retirement, the Nightingales Medical Trust (NMT), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) will hold a job fair in Bangalore on July 21.

Called Jobs 60 + - You Are Never Too Old To Retire, it seeks to bring dignity to the lives of senior citizens, who are not getting any regular income and are financially insecure.

“The job fair will provide a platform for needy senior citizens and socially conscious companies to come together for mutual benefit,” said Radha S. Murthy, NMT managing trustee in a press note.

A large number of senior citizens from different backgrounds - engineers, technicians, supervisors, administrators, teachers, accountants, data entry operators and so on-are expected to participate.

The organisers have also appealed to firms and entrepreneurs to participate. In turn, they will train senior citizens in basic computer skills, if required, free of cost to enable them to cope with present-day job requirements.

In India, only 10.8 per cent of the elderly get monthly pension or some regular income and many elders were finding it difficult to make ends meet due to changing lifestyles, rising living costs and lack of support from children.

“Most of the retired elders — 60 to 70 years of age — are physically and intellectually fit and prepared to do moderately skilled jobs and expect only a nominal salary, just for sustenance,” Dr. Murthy said. “In our experience, employers benefit from this initiative because most elders are qualified, able and have decades of experience.”

Deadline, venue

Senior citizens and employers who are interested in participating in the job fair, can contact Nightingales on 080-65608888 before July 15.

The job fair will be held at #40, Laxmi Complex, Opp. Vani Vilas Hospital, K.R. Fort Road, Bangalore between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on July 21.