Elderly citizens' interests come before those of government staff

THIS YEAR, all the elderly residents in Qinhuangdao in North China's Hebei province are entitled to an old-age allowance. However, some communities only issued a notice about paying the money via social media, which many elder residents don't use. Do not turn a good policy into a joke that's not funny, says a column on gwm.cn:

During an interview, the management at one local community responded that there are 177 elderly residents in their community, and it would take much time and energy for them to call each of them to inform them of the allowance. It seems the local community staff, whose wages are paid by taxpayers, forget their job responsibilities and are ready to sacrifice the interests of those they are meant to serve for their own interests and convenience.

According to the law, the elderly are entitled to the allowance. The law does not say it explicitly, but it is thus an obligation for government departments to make sure the aged receive their entitlement. The staff's action is improper because it prevents some or all of the elderly residents in the community from receiving their allowances.