Forgotten Workforce: Older People and Their Right to Decent Work

Society is failing to value and harness older people’s skills, knowledge and experience, a Guardian survey has revealed. Some 92% of the 1,250 respondents to the ageing population research believe that older adults’ contribution to society is not recognised. One said: “On the whole the public view older people as a drain on society instead of an asset.” Another added: “Older people are mostly seen as a bundle of problems and service-needs. Their strengths, skills and knowledge are not harnessed or appreciated in a society infatuated by the cult of youth.”

Immediate need for decent work

Older people experience lack of job opportunities, irregular incomes, long hours, exclusion from training programmes and discrimination simply on the grounds of age. The working conditions of the poorest older people are often appalling, and it is likely that the numbers of older people working are in reality much higher than statistics show.

The report details the immediate need for decent work for older people. Decent work means the right to a regular income, voice and recognition, family stability, opportunities, personal development, fairness and gender equality. Decent work means work that is carried out in conditions of freedom, equality and security that respect human dignity.

Older workers' rights must be recognised

Older people need protection. The right to land and property, especially widows' rights, should be protected through legislation. Older people who cannot read and write have less access to information about their rights and also need protection from exploitation.

International Workers Day, at one point in history, signified conflict and demonstrations. In a more peaceful setting, this day should still mark a passionate yet positive campaign calling on governments and international organisations to recognise workers rights, including the rights of older people to decent work.

The Decent Work Agenda requires national and international actors to commit to the objective of creating quality jobs globally and to pursue cooperative solutions to this challenge. We call on governments, workers and employers to give solutions to providing decent work for all and the voices of older people must be included in this debate.

Source:

http://www.helpage.org/blogs/richard-blewitt-27/forgotten-workforce-older-people-and-their-right-to-decent-work-48/