Sir, – Mary Morrissey (June 13th) argues that mandatory retirement should be protected because forcing people out of work when they turn 65 creates jobs for younger workers.
This is not the case. Research from the IMF, the OECD and the World of Labour Research Institute have all confirmed that reducing labour force participation among older people does not lead to increased employment for young people.
In fact, the reverse seems to be true. Iceland, New Zealand, Sweden and Norway are among the top 10 countries in the world for youth employment and simultaneously for the employment of older people. Research from Denmark and France has also shown that reduced labour force participation for older workers saw drops in youth employment.
Put simply, the more older workers in employment, the better for growing our economy and creating jobs for everyone.
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More than 40 years ago Irish people rejected the idea that women should leave the workforce because they got married to make room for men. The same thinking today is driving older workers onto the dole, undermining their sense of self-worth and costing our economy thousands of skilled, experienced employees every year.
It’s time to abolish mandatory retirement, and we would urge the new Taoiseach and his Cabinet to support legislation currently going through the Oireachtas that is designed to do just that. – Yours, etc,
JUSTIN MORAN,
Head of Advocacy
and Communications,
Age Action Ireland,
Camden Street,
Dublin 2.
Sir, – I couldn’t agree more with Mary Morrissey.
There is nothing wrong with retired public servants doing most welcome voluntary work but wishing to stay on at paid work beyond the retirement age of 65 or return to work after retirement deprives the opportunities for many young people and works against the natural circle of life.
Furthermore, with so many charities – in the region of 8,500 – in this country a number of these retired public servants with welcome experience in matters financial, revenue, health, education, etc, would be admirably suited for managerial jobs with just expenses paid instead of huge salaries. – Yours, etc,
MARY TOOMEY,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.