European Employment Policies

How to promote active ageing in Europe
EU support to local and regional actors

Following this introduction, the first major section of the brochure sets out - in thematic chapters - the types of activities that local and regional actors can implement to achieve the objectives of active ageing and solidarity between generations. Numerous projects already having received European funding are presented for each EY2012 theme, to demonstrate what is possible and inspire new examples.
In the second major section, the brochure presents an outline of the most relevant funding opportunities available at EU level - often via national and regional managing authorities - to support new active ageing projects. The brochure aims to make clear the practical potential of European programmes to support active ageing projects involving local and regional actors, particularly through reference to illustrative examples.
Links to further information on the projects and programmes mentioned are provided throughout the document to help readers access information beyond the limits of this text. Useful additional tools, publications and sources of information have also been included towards the end of the brochure.

TIME TO CALL IT QUITS?
THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF OLDER WORKERS

The workforces of many countries are aging, creating pressure for older workers to retire later despite greater vulnerability to various occupational safety and health (OSH) risks. Some specific risks to older workers arise from age-related physical or psychological changes, while others reflect exposures to poor work organization or employment conditions. This article reviews evidence on the nature of the OSH risks faced by older workers, focusing on work ability, contingent work, and working hours.

Work ability, the capacity to meet the physical, mental, and social demands of a job, has been linked to positive health outcomes for older workers. However, work characteristics seem to be more critical than workers’ individual capacities. Contingent work is generally associated with poorer OSH outcomes, and older workers are more likely to be contingent, with special implications for their safety and health. There has been limited research on age and working hours, but risks for many physical and mental health problems are known to increase with shift work experience, and physiological and psychosocial changes associated with age may also increase injury risks. The authors discuss organizational practices and regulatory policies to protect and enhance the OSH of older workers.
Read more

EMPLOYMENT IN EUROPE - report 2009

EUROBAROMETER SURVEY ON POVERTY AND SOCIAL EXCLUSION 2009

CAWA documentary

Creative Approaches to Workforce Ageing

CAWA's aim is to make a significant contribution to ageing workforce policy awareness and effectiveness by promoting creative approaches to workforce ageing among older workers. See www.olderworkers.eu for more info. The following documentary is a 22 minute presentation of four organisational case studies of good practice in workforce ageing.

Download the film by clicking here and wait for your media player to load.

The European Parliament Magazine published an article by Liz Mestheneos, AGE President and Member of the administrative board of 50plus. In this article, Mrs Mestheneos, calls on the EU to do more to safeguard older workers from the effects of the recession.
For more info: http://www.age-platform.org/EN/IMG/pdf_Article_in_EP_magazine_16-03-2009.pdf

Older women workers in Europe

Eurofound has issued a publication on the situation of older women workers in Europe. Older women workers represent an increasing proportion of the workforce in the EU, especially in the 55-64 years age groups. Employment rates for older women workers have been increasing in Europe. The publication provides pertinent background information and policy pointers for all actors and interested parties engaged in the current European debate on the future of social policy.

Drawing on experience – older women workers in Europe:
http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/pubdocs/2008/85/en/2/EF0885EN.pdf

WELFARE AND EMPLOYMENT:A EUROPEAN DILEMMA?
More>>

EU policy section on Social inclusion
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/spsi/active_inclusion_en.htm

Joint Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion 2008
Social inclusion, pensions,healthcare and long-term care

A series of 26 easy-to-print factsheets highlighting how you as an EU citizen can benefit from EU policies in the areas of employment and social policy and pointing to future challenges and developments.
The factsheets are divided into six thematic areas:

More and better jobs
Rights at work
Inclusion and equality
Job mobility
EU funding programmes
Policy in practice

More>>

Labour market participation of older people
A recent study by the Empeiria Development Partnership examines the participation of people aged 55–64 years in the Greek labour market in the period between 1993 and 2004. Despite an increase in the labour force as a whole over the period under examinatione, the share of workers in the 55–64 age group declined. The study also makes an initial investigation of the impact of an expected increase in the number of people in this age group.
More>>

CITIZEN'S SUMMARY – Recommemdation on the active inclusion of People excluded from the Labour Market
More>>

The debate about older workers in Europe is developed in the OECD Report ‘Live Longer, Work Longer’Feb. 2006
http://www.oecd.org/document/42/0,2340,en_2649_34747_36104426_1_1_1_1,00.html

AGE-Platform (the European Network of Older people – 50+Hellas is a member of this) We argue for more opportunities and support for older workers as well as choices, recognizing the very different situations of older workers. Se the position statements http://www.age-platform.org/EN/

Summary on European employment policies concerning older workers
http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/s02300.htm

Work by the European Commission on Local development, equality and employment.
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/index_en.html

AGE-Platform – for position papers by AGE and its members on European policies. See their section on employment and older workers stressing the needs for new opportunities and support for them, with stress also given to the employment and training needs of older women. www.age-platform.org

Employment in social care in Europe
In the context of an ageing population and increasing demand for care services in the EU, there is growing concern about the supply of suitably qualified care workers. Low pay, low status, and high rates of turnover and burnout make it difficult to attract workers to the care sector and keep them in their jobs.
In light of the concerns about the supply of care workers to meet current demands and future needs, the Foundation launched a project entitled Employment in social care in Europe.
Main findings

the care sector is economically very significant, offering job opportunities for a high proportion of the workforce
as the provision of care is both formal and informal, policy must address this dual approach
many caring activities are undeclared, which jeopardises both the quality of care and the working conditions of many informal carers
the care sector workforce is ageing, creating a specific need for improved working conditions and new recruits
quality assurance is one of the major stepping stones to improve the financial viability of care
in most EU15 Member States, demand for care services exceeds the supply of resources available, particularly in terms of the labour supply. In some of the NMS and acceding countries, labour supply may exceed demand, but only in the short term. In the longer term, a pattern similar to that in the old MS will emerge
policies aimed at reducing the need for care are developed in many countries and are important for reducing pressure on the labour force.

National policymakers need to develop strategies to reduce the financial burden on their social provision systems. In line with the overall need for more personalized services, the move to more informal care provision seems inevitable. Thus, supporting informal care either through financial incentives or through support services will be one of the major challenges in the coming years.

Read here

EU sites on recent legislation and employment - http://www.europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/s02300.htm

EUROPEAN GUIDELINES: IMPROVING EMPLOYMENT PRACTICE RELATED TO WORKFORCE AGEING http://www.olderworkers.eu/pages/en/cawa-intl-conference.php

International Labour Office - the ILO provides information on the employment situation internationally http://www.ilo.org/global/lang--en/index.htm