Older workers could help deal with aging population problems

Extract from Fifty~Plus News, July 2009 THE report of a landmark study, 'Still Putting in, commissioned by National Seniors Australia (NSA) and undertaken by the Eidos Institute, has found that the challenges of coping with many problems posed by Australia's ageing society could be met in part by older workers. But this would require age discrimination in the workplace to be stamped out and mature age jobseekers given a chance. The report's findings are particularly important at a time when plans are in train to increase the pension eligibility age from 65 to 67. "If we are to work longer, it is critical the opportunities for mature age employment are there," says NSA chief executive Michael O'Neill. 'It is time for government, unions and business to stand up, show leadership and tackle age discrimination head-on so a person over 50 has the same chance of getting a job as someone much younger." The report's major findings include: • Nearly 2 million older Australians (over 55) are willing to work, could be encouraged to work or are unemployed and looking for work. • The Australian economy is losing $10.8 billion a year by not utilising the skills and experience of those over 55 who want to work. • More than 160,000 older Australians wanted to work but were not looking, of these 30 per cent believed employers considered them too old. • Older Australians working full-time make an economic contribution of $59.6 billion a year to the nation's GDP. • An economic contribution of $2 billion a year by older Australians working as volunteers. • A cost to the economy of $911 million a year if 637,962 older Australians providing unpaid childcare were replaced with paid workers. • A cost to the economy of $3.9 billion a year if 587,794 older Australians providing unpaid assistance to people with a disability were replaced with paid workers. • A social contribution of $1.2 billion a year by 844,068 older Australians who participated in civic and political groups in 2006. Mr. O'Neill says the report shows that not only does workplace age discrimination need to be tackled at all levels, but there needs to a recognition and celebration of the contribution older people make to the nation's wellbeing. There also needs to be a "seismic shift" in how we view retirement and how developing ageing policy is approached. He says this approach must integrate government supports such as health, transport and social security and also allow for new flexible models of work and transition to retirement. "The raising of the pension age helped awaken the nation's consciousness to an issue which affects every single one of us; this report enables us to go a step further and offer a pragmatic approach to planning for the challenges which lie ahead,"