Work ageism

We say  that older people should be able to participate in the paid work force and choose when to withdraw from it.

New Zealand appears to lag behind Europe and Australia, which are already beginning to address issues affecting older workers.

Continued improvements in health status among older people, removal of ageist legislation and the reduction in the number of younger age workers in the labour market from 2020, will allow older people to work longer if they choose.

When discussing employment and retirement issues it is worth remembering that the notion of 'retirement' only developed from the 1850s onwards in response to the industrial revolution and the growth of capitalist society. Retirement as an institution is entirely a 20th century phenomenon.

Participation

More New Zealanders are continuing to work beyond age 65, Statistics NZ says, based on 2006 Census data.

• 1 in six of New Zealand 65+ residents were in the labour force
• Among youngest superannuitants (65–69 years), almost half of men and a quarter of women were working (43 percent of men and 25 percent of women)
• New Zealand has one of the highest labour force participation rates for the 65+ age group.
• Older New Zealanders are extending their working life. The labour force participation rate for 70–74-year olds in 2006 was the same as the rate for 65–69-year olds 10 years before
• Māori aged 65 + are more likely to be in the labour force than their European counterparts.
• Education seems to enhance the prospects of working beyond age 65.

Research

In October 2006, Human Rights Commission research showed that young people were six to 12 times more likely to be short-listed for a range of jobs than 55-year-olds. Report (Word doc, 132KB)

The EEO Trust's 2001 Report "Mature jobseekers in New Zealand" asked 954 mature job-seekers why they were out of work and for how long, how they were seeking work and the barriers they faced to getting a job. Report (Word doc, 500KB)

Illustration

Mildred Heath, 100-Year-Old Reporter, America's Oldest Worker Source: Huffington Post