Ageing and labour markets for older workers

This paper attempts to emphasise the employment and labour market implications of ageing from the perspective of the older worker. Following some background information on the study, the author builds his argument that older workers are discriminated against in terms of their participation in the labour market, and reviews policies and practices for promoting the employment of older workers. The three main sections of the report are: ageing and its consequences; older workers in labour markets; and promoting the employment of older workers: ILO and the 1995 Social Summit. Some of the conclusions drawn in the paper include: that as older women suffer greater than older men from ageist policies, it will be necessary to make labour markets more equitable for older workers; that an increase in the retirement age will lead to an economically active population and decreased numbers of pensioners; adjustments in workplaces and working times are successful, low-cost means of promoting the employment of older workers; and that employers should consider the skills transmission from older workers to the young as a way of making up for possible skill shortages. Show less