Old Age Allowances
_Background:
i). The Constitution of Bangladesh in it's clause 15(d) clearly declares to introduce the Social Security Programme. The Constitution spells 'the right to social security that is to say, to public assistance in cases of undeserved want arising from unemployment . illness or disablement, or suffered by widows or orphans or in old age or in other such cases "In spite of constitutional obligation no government had come forward to implement this constitutional commitment. But the daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hon'ble Prime Minister, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, during her last tenure has introduced Old Age Allowances in 1998. This is an epoch-making Social Security programme in the history of Bangladesh as well as neighbouring countries.
ii). In Bangladesh traditionally the elders are thought as the guardians and advisers of the society. Elderly people are respected by the family, society and even by the nation. But due to various socio-economic reasons, the traditional values and customs are not maintaining properly. Due to degradation of moral values, the younger population consider the experience and knowledge of the elders to be outdated. Today in many cases youths no longer like to live with the elders. On the other hand, due to their profession they have to go for work in distant places. As a result, the traditional joint family structures have broken down and familial support to the elders have been reduced largely.
iii) Under the above circumstances elderly people, specially the elder population of the poor families have been thrown into socio-economic insecurity. Absence of health care facilities for the elders is another major factor that contributed to their suffering since aging invites new health problems. Elderly poor women face more problems due to aging.
i). The Constitution of Bangladesh in it's clause 15(d) clearly declares to introduce the Social Security Programme. The Constitution spells 'the right to social security that is to say, to public assistance in cases of undeserved want arising from unemployment . illness or disablement, or suffered by widows or orphans or in old age or in other such cases "In spite of constitutional obligation no government had come forward to implement this constitutional commitment. But the daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hon'ble Prime Minister, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, during her last tenure has introduced Old Age Allowances in 1998. This is an epoch-making Social Security programme in the history of Bangladesh as well as neighbouring countries.
ii). In Bangladesh traditionally the elders are thought as the guardians and advisers of the society. Elderly people are respected by the family, society and even by the nation. But due to various socio-economic reasons, the traditional values and customs are not maintaining properly. Due to degradation of moral values, the younger population consider the experience and knowledge of the elders to be outdated. Today in many cases youths no longer like to live with the elders. On the other hand, due to their profession they have to go for work in distant places. As a result, the traditional joint family structures have broken down and familial support to the elders have been reduced largely.
iii) Under the above circumstances elderly people, specially the elder population of the poor families have been thrown into socio-economic insecurity. Absence of health care facilities for the elders is another major factor that contributed to their suffering since aging invites new health problems. Elderly poor women face more problems due to aging.