Bangladesh currently has 1.3 million senior citizens, which is projected to rise to 36 million by 2050. While many elderly individuals remain economically active, social security measures must be strengthened to support them. Currently, 5.8 million elderly citizens receive Tk 600 monthly through the Bangladesh Social Security Program, benefiting 39% of the senior population.
On Senior Citizens’ Day, 25 participants (14 women, 11 men) gathered in a human chain to highlight the challenges faced by elderly citizens and advocate for solutions. The key demands included:
- Creating a database of all workers, including senior informal sector workers.
- Ensuring universal old age allowance for all senior working people.
- Removing restrictions on receiving other allowances alongside public pensions.
- Increasing the Old Age Allowance amount and the number of beneficiaries.
- Reducing the pension nomination period from 7 to 4 years.
- Establishing a National Task Force to review and amend social protection laws.
This initiative successfully raised awareness among the public and government officials, urging policymakers to take action for the welfare of senior citizens.
