In a bid to empower the elderly and enhance their contributions to society, Shanghai has unveiled initiatives to strengthen employment support for senior citizens, positioning "silver-hair power" as a pillar of the city's high-quality development.

The city aims to create age-friendly job opportunities, particularly for younger, healthier seniors, while improving human resources services to facilitate employment for those interested.

Authorities will encourage businesses and social organizations to develop diverse and personalized job roles tailored to seniors' health conditions and skill sets.

Firms engaged in elderly product development and services are encouraged to hire seniors as project evaluators, leveraging their perspectives to drive industry growth.

Employers are also being supported in re-hiring retired professionals, with a focus on teachers, doctors and scientists, enabling them to continue sharing their expertise.

The measures are part of an implementation plan to improve elderly social participation and promote active aging, released on March 12.

The plan follows national guidelines issued by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the National Development and Reform Commission in May last year, and is tailored to Shanghai's demographic and development needs.

It highlights the role of grassroots Party organizations and veteran Party members in encouraging elderly participation in volunteer services.

Initiatives include pairing each senior who lives alone with another senior volunteer for support, as well as promoting intergenerational and peer assistance among the elderly, according to the plan.

District aging offices will also work with relevant departments to establish a pool of "silver-haired" experts and senior volunteer teams in sectors such as education, technology, healthcare and social work. This will allow seniors to turn their expertise into social services through technical guidance and consultancy.

Experts said the plan effectively addresses social needs. The outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for national economic and social development underscores the strategic importance of active aging, promoting well-being, participation and fulfillment among older adults.

During the annual sessions of the country's top legislative and political advisory bodies earlier this month, several lawmakers and political advisers called for encouraging skilled retirees to return to the workforce, emphasizing their role in passing on experience.

The Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau said many seniors are already contributing through various platforms, from accompanying others to hospital visits to serving as technical advisers in expert pools. Their continued participation not only enriches their own lives but also helps address structural labor shortages.

Hu Zhan, a professor at Fudan University specializing in aging studies, said concerns that elderly employment could affect younger job seekers are largely unfounded. Young people tend to gravitate toward emerging industries such as the internet sector, while seniors remain in traditional fields, limiting direct competition.

zhouwenting@chinadaily.com.cn