Search Results

In 2001, the OECD launched a review of policies to improve labour market prospects for older workers. The review aims to examine both supply-side and demand-side aspects of this topic. Older workers have been defined as those aged 50 years and over. This report on Spain identifies the main barriers to employment for older people, assesses whether existing measures to address these barriers are adequate and effective, and proposes a number of recommendations for further action by the government bodies and social partners. Show less

In 2001, the OECD launched a review of policies to improve labour market prospects for older workers. The review aims to examine both supply-side and demand-side aspects of this topic. Older workers have been defined as those aged 50 years and over. This report on Sweden identifies the main barriers to employment for older people, assesses whether existing measures to address these barriers are adequate and effective, and proposes a number of recommendations for further action by the government bodies and social partners. Show less

The Japanese labour market is characterised by high employment rates for men and older workers, and a low unemployment rate. Over the past two decades, female participation has risen, while disparities in the labour market conditions of workers have grown. Further efforts are needed to promote increases in female and older-worker employment rates so as to combat the trend decline in the working-age population, and to reduce dualism in the labour market. Show less

This report examines the performance of public employment services and the effectiveness of activation strategies in Switzerland. It covers the role of the key actors in labour market policy, the placement function of the Public Employment Service (PES), the structure of out-of-work benefits and the related incentives and disincentives for taking up work, and discusses the main features of active labour market programs (ALMPs). ALMPs fund considerable supported employment, rehabilitation and training programs. In a given year, over a quarter of all registered jobseekers participate in at least one active program. Show less

Slovenia is characterised by one of the most equal income distributions in the world and a tradition of social dialogue. This has helped it to achieve an efficient restructuring of its economy, which is now well integrated in European and international markets. However, its unemployment insurance and employment service system are not sufficient to deal effectively with the present economic crisis. The country is also faced with rapid population ageing and a low employment rate among 55-to-64 year olds. To weather the present crisis, Slovenia needs to promote training and job search skills so that older unemployed people do not leave the labour market prematurely. It must also continue to reform its public, pay-as-you-go pension system. This report analyses the main challenges in terms of labour market and social policies and considers the available policy options from the perspective of OECD countries' experience.

Published abstract. Show less

In 2001, the OECD launched a review of policies to improve labour market prospects for older workers. The aim of this review is to examine both supply-side and demand-side aspects of this topic. Older workers have been defined as those aged 50 years and over. The review argues that many policy measures and workplace practices create significant barriers to older workers continuing to work and that current reforms will not be sufficient to encourage later retirement and to lessen the risk of future labour shortages. Statistical evidence suggests that in Canada, the proportion of persons aged 65 and over to the working-age population will double to 45% by 2050. It is argued that unless policy changes are made, this population ageing could lead to higher public expenditures, labour force shortages, and slower economic growth. This report surveys the main barriers to employment for older workers, assesses the adequacy and effectiveness of existing measures to overcome these barriers and presents a set of policy recommendations for further action by the public authorities and social partners. It examines the balances between income support and work incentives, methods for encouraging employers to hire and retain workers, and policies for ensuring the employability of older workers. This report is published in English with a French translation of the executive summary and recommendations. The chapters are: The challenge ahead; The labour market situation of older workers; Income support and work incentives for older people; Encouraging employers to hire and retain older workers; Strengthening older workers’ employability; Ensuring policies are comprehensive and coherent. Show less

In 2001, the OECD launched a review of policies to improve labour market prospects for older workers. The aim of this review is to examine both supply-side and demand-side aspects of this topic. Older workers have been defined as those aged 50 years and over. Italy currently has the highest old-age dependency ratio among OECD countries after Sweden, with the country’s pension system resulting in early retirement and low employment rates among older workers. This trend is likely to result in slower long-term economic growth and put further strain on already high public expenditures. This document, after examining the current situation and the key problems faced by older workers, attempts to address these challenges. Of particular importance is the need to increase female participation rates, change existing employer attitudes towards older workers, and improve older workers’ skills, employability and working conditions. Show less

In 2001, the OECD launched a review of policies to improve labour market prospects for older workers. The aim of this review is to examine both supply-side and demand-side aspects of this topic. Older workers have been defined as those aged 50 years and over. The review argues that many policy measures and workplace practices create significant barriers to older workers continuing to work and that current reforms will not be sufficient to encourage later retirement and to lessen the risk of future labour shortages. This report on the Netherlands predicts that the proportion of persons aged 65 and over to the working-age population will rise to 40% by 2050. It is argued that unless policy changes are made, this population ageing could lead to higher public expenditures, labour force shortages, and slower economic growth. The report surveys the main barriers to employment for older workers, assesses the adequacy and effectiveness of existing measures to overcome these barriers and makes policy recommendations for further action by the government and other social partners. It examines the balances between income support and work incentives, methods for encouraging employers to hire and retain older workers, and policies for ensuring the employability of older workers. The chapters are: The challenge ahead; Older workers in the Dutch labour market; Income support and work incentives: striking the right balance; Encouraging employers to hire and retain older workers; Ensuring the employability of older workers; Ensuring that policies are comprehensive and coherent. Show less

In 2001, the OECD launched a review of policies to improve labour market prospects for older workers. The aim of this review is to examine both supply-side and demand-side aspects of this topic. Older workers have been defined as those aged 50 years and over. The review argues that many policy measures and workplace practices create significant barriers to older workers continuing to work and that current reforms will not be sufficient to encourage later retirement and to lessen the risk of future labour shortages. Statistical evidence suggests that in Austria, the proportion of persons aged 65 and over to the working-age population will double to 30% by 2050. It is argued that unless policy changes are made, this population ageing could lead to higher public expenditures, labour force shortages, and slower economic growth. This report surveys the main barriers to employment for older workers, assesses of the adequacy and effectiveness of existing measures to overcome these barriers and presents a set of policy recommendations for further action by the public authorities and social partners. It examines the balances between income support and work incentives, methods for encouraging employers to hire and retain workers, and policies for ensuring the employability of older workers. This report is published in English with a French translation of the executive summary and recommendations. The chapter are: Executive summary and policy recommendations; Introduction; The challenge ahead; Older workers in the Austrian labour market; Providing social protection while enhancing work incentives; Incentives for employers to retain and hire older workers; Ensuring employability of workers at all ages; Confronting policy dilemmas and obstacles; Bibliography. Show less

In 2001, the OECD launched a review of policies to improve labour market prospects for older workers. The aim of this review is to examine both supply-side and demand-side aspects of this topic. Older workers have been defined as those aged 50 years and over. The review argues that many policy measures and workplace practices create significant barriers to older workers continuing to work and that current reforms will not be sufficient to encourage later retirement and to lessen the risk of future labour shortages. Statistical evidence suggests that in France, the proportion of persons aged 65 and over to the working-age population will double to 58% by 2050. It is argued that unless policy changes are made, this population ageing could lead to higher public expenditures, labour force shortages, and slower economic growth. This report surveys the main barriers to employment for older workers, assesses the adequacy and effectiveness of existing measures to overcome these barriers and presents a set of policy recommendations for further action by the public authorities and social partners. It examines the balances between income support and work incentives, methods for encouraging employers to hire and retain workers, and policies for ensuring the employability of older workers. This report is published in English with a French translation of the executive summary and recommendations. The chapters are: The challenge ahead; The labour market situation of older workers; Protecting older people while enhancing work incentives; Removing demand-side barriers; Strengthening employability; Policy coherency and dilemmas. Show less