Charities hail decision to scrap retirement age
LEADING age charities have welcomed plans by the government to scrap the default retirement age (DRA) in 2011.
Ministers say the previous arrangements will be "consigned to the history books", winning praise from anti-ageist campaigners who have complained that forcing someone to retire just because they had reached 65 was discriminatory.
The new ruling is set to take effect from October next year.
Anne O'Reilly of Age NI said: "Policies like the default retirement age have always presented a barrier to the full and equal participation of older people in Northern Ireland."
The charity's chief executive said she "warmly welcomes" the changes and added: "At present, almost one quarter of the working population in Northern Ireland is over 50.
"It stands to reason that we should fully utilise our highly-skilled and experienced resource of older workers – not let it go."
By 2029, the number of over 60s in Northern Ireland will have increased to 600,000 and older people will continue to contribute to society as carers, volunteers and workers.
Ms O'Reilly says the new rules offer exciting opportunities.
"Research demonstrates lower rates of absenteeism among older workers, and by eradicating the default retirement age we have an opportunity to maximise the skills and knowledge acquired by older workers.
"By removing the default retirement age, we can also ensure that older people have the right to pursue available opportunities that enable them to contribute fully to our social and economic life."
Age UK charity director Michelle Mitchell said: "We have fought a four-year campaign to achieve this historic decision, so Age UK is absolutely delighted that the government is finally setting a clear date for the abolition of this arbitrary and unfair law.
"This is a huge victory for hundreds of thousands of employees who are at risk of being forced out of their jobs simply because of their age."
Brendan Barber, general secretary of the TUC said: "It cannot be right that workers lose their protection against arbitrary dismissal overnight because of their age."
He said there still needs to a move towards phased retirements and added: "This can end the retirement cliff-edge where people work full-time one day and stop work the next. Many would prefer a phased retirement."
However, the UK's leading business groups have criticised the move, warning that the timescale will give companies little time to prepare.
Adam Marshall, of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "Many small and medium-sized firms value the DRA as it triggers a conversation about an employee's future and provides both sides with an opportunity to plan.
"Companies value the skills and experience of older workers, and most do keep them on, but they also value the freedom to manage their workforce."
But employment relations minister Edward Davey said: "With more and more people wanting to extend their working lives, we should not stop them just because they have reached a particular age."
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Tuesday 14 February 2012
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