22-08-03

Time to scrap compulsory retirement ages – Barrett

John Barrett, Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today backed a report by a leading organisation representing the elderly, which called for the Government to scrap compulsory retirement ages.
 
The report “Work after 60”, published by Help the Aged, made a number of recommendations including an end to the law which allows companies to force compulsory retirement on their employees when they reach pensionable age.
 
In a statement, John Barrett said:
 
“The fact is, theUKpopulation is an ageing one. The 2001 Census showed that for the first time, there are more people aged over 60 than under 16.
 
“Far from being a burden on society, older people can bring skills and experience to the workplace, which are all too often underutilised. Although many different companies have signed up to the Government’s anti-ageist campaign, a recent survey showed that 75% of employers had no employees over 60.
 
“The fact companies are allowed to enforce compulsory retirement ages only adds to this discrimination. There is also a strong case for changing the law to allow better legal protection to those older workers who face unfair dismissal.
 
“This isn’t about forcing people to work longer. It’s about allowing those who are good at their work, who enjoy their work and who wish to continue with their work to be able to do so. The Government must now get behind the idea and show older workers that their contribution to the economy is just as important as everyone else’s.”
 
ENDS
 

Notes to Editors
 
• More information on Help the Aged’s campaign to end age discrimination can be found at:

www.helptheaged.org.uk/CampaignsNews/Age+Discrimination/_default.htm