26 February 2004
Age discrimination an important factor if planning to keep older people in the workforce
Federal Human Rights Commissioner Dr Sev Ozdowki welcomed yesterday's announcement by the federal Government which outlined plans to keep older people in the workforce and further measures designed to help deal with the issue of Australia's ageing population.
Dr Ozdowski said that offering older workers greater flexibility to remain in the workforce was a positive step. However, stressed the need to also address the ubiquitous issue of age discrimination, which required legislative as well as attitudinal changes in our society.
"The real problem is people over 45 not being able to find a job or get back into the workforce because they are being discriminated against due to their age," said Dr Ozdowski.
"General negative based stereotypes and assumptions about older people's fitness, ability, skill and adaptability affect their opportunities in recruitment, promotion, training and retirement choices."
It is predicted by 2051 that over 25 per cent of our population - or one in four people in Australia - will be over the age of 65. Add to this the widely acknowledged fact that older workers, especially men in their 50s, form a disproportionately high percentage of the long-term unemployed. And you have the common factor forcing older people out of the workforce - age.
"Age discrimination is a peculiar form of prejudice in that unless it is addressed at systematic and practical level, in time, the discriminators will soon become the discriminated against - making it a vicious circle of discrimination," the Commissioner said.
The Commission has called for the introduction of Commonwealth age discrimination legislation for some time and supports the Age Discrimination Bill 2003 (with amendments) which was introduced into Parliament last year.
The Bill proposes to make age discrimination unlawful in key areas of public life including employment, education, access to goods and services and the administration of Commonwealth laws and programs.
"The passing of this legislation should impact on people's attitudes towards age discrimination and help ensure plans to keep older Australians in the workforce are not hamstrung by the negating effects of this prejudice," Dr Ozdowski said.
Media contact: Paul Oliver (02) 9284 9880 or 0408 469 347
Last updated 26 February 2004.
