Government workers in Tibet are voicing concern over a plan to raise China’s retirement age, saying the measure will force them to work later in life and put off plans to pursue business ventures, according to sources.
China's government announced plans earlier this month to raise the country's retirement age as part of its response to falling births and a rapidly aging population — the first significant reform to China's retirement system since it was established in the 1950s.
China has one of the lowest statutory retirement ages in the world for workers to receive pensions, set at 60 for men, at 55 for women in white-collar jobs and at 50 for female blue-collar workers.
Starting on Jan. 1, the retirement age will be gradually increased over 15 years, raising it to 63, 58, and 55, respectively.
The measure has broad implications for ethnic minorities like Tibetans, who rely on retirement to transition into private business or traditional livelihoods.
“Since this is a policy of the Chinese government, it will be applied in Tibet as well,” said a Tibetan official, who like others in this report declined to be named due to fear of reprisal.
“Our options will be limited,” he said.
In the Tibetan Autonomous Region, many Tibetan workers aged 50 are waiting to retire early, largely due to dissatisfaction with the extensive political indoctrination they must undergo and restrictions in government offices put in place by Beijing, one of the sources said.
“These conditions have made it increasingly unpleasant for them to continue working, so many no longer wish to go to the office,” he said.
'Already a bad situation'
Several Tibetans, including six who work in local government offices in Tibet, told Radio Free Asia that the policy change would likely delay their post-retirement plans, including pursuing personal business ventures and engaging in other activities.
Others complained that it could worsen corruption related to retirement benefits and raise youth unemployment in Tibet.
“There are already rampant attempts to bribe officials to secure an early retirement or a favorable retirement package,” said a source familiar with the matter.
“It’s already a bad situation, and this may worsen it,” he said.
Another Tibetan source noted that many Tibetans have been leaving their jobs in recent years, citing poor health or mental illness due to work-related stress.
“This wave of mass resignations has led to an influx of Chinese officials from other parts of China” who are vying for the positions, he said.
Meanwhile, unemployment is on the rise in Tibet and many Tibetan graduates are already finding it difficult to land jobs, the same source said.
“The increasing presence of Chinese officials in Tibet raises concerns about future prospects for Tibetans, especially the youth seeking employment,” he added.
According to the new policy, early retirement will be permitted in special cases, including for those who work in physically demanding jobs or hazardous environments.
Also, employees who have reached the minimum insurance contribution period can retire up to three years early, depending on their situation.
Additional reporting by Tashi Wangchuk, Tenzin Dickyi, and Rigdhen Dolma for RFA Tibetan. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Joshua Lipes.