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Combating discrimination against older persons on the labour market

Doc. 13292: compendium of written amendments | Doc. 13292 | Final version

Compendium index

Amendment 1 Amendment 2 Amendment 3 Sub-amendment 1 to amendment 3 Amendment 4 Amendment 5 Amendment 6

Caption: AdoptedRejectedWithdrawnNo electronic votes

ADraft Resolution

1Age discrimination is one of the most widespread forms of discrimination, although there are substantial differences between Council of Europe member States in terms of awareness of the problem and the scale of efforts to combat it. In the sphere of employment, discrimination against older people is reflected in differences in treatment that are neither justified nor necessary, especially where access to recruitment and further training is concerned.

24 September 2013

Tabled by the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development

In the draft resolution, paragraph 1, replace the words “older people” with the following words: "older workers (active persons aged between 50 and 64) and older persons more generally (65 and older)".

2In the current European context of economic crisis and the ageing of the population, older workers face increased difficulties relating to all aspects of employment: they still have to contend with inequality and stereotyping, while competition is fiercer; in several countries the retirement age is being raised while many older staff are being pushed into early retirement.
3The Parliamentary Assembly believes it necessary to establish effective legal provisions to tackle age discrimination and also to introduce positive action for older persons wishing to enter or re-enter the labour market as well as for older employees. In this context, the Assembly stresses that the particularly vulnerable position of certain groups, affected by multiple forms of discrimination owing to their age as well as other criteria, should be duly taken into account within the framework of legislative and political measures in this area.

24 September 2013

Tabled by the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development

In the draft resolution, paragraph 3, after the words "to introduce positive action for", replace the words "older persons wishing to enter or re-enter the labour market as well as for older employees" with the following words: "older workers wishing to enter or re-enter the labour market and for older employees, including those who wish to continue working beyond pensionable age."

24 September 2013

Tabled by the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development

Votes: 54 in favor 0 against 0 abstention

In the draft resolution, paragraph 3, replace the second sentence with the following sentence: "The particularly vulnerable position of persons affected by multiple forms of discrimination by cumulating different criteria, such as age, gender or ethnic origin, should be specifically taken into account when it comes to conceiving legislative or policy responses."

03 October 2013

Tabled by the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination

Votes: 47 in favor 2 against 3 abstentions

In amendment 3, delete the words ", such as age, gender or ethnic origin,".

4Moreover, age discrimination goes hand-in-hand with the more general phenomenon of “ageism”, driven by a negative view of ageing in society. The Assembly considers it vital to strive to change mentalities in order to eliminate stereotypes and build a positive and true image of all age brackets.
5In the light of these considerations, the Assembly invites the member States of the Council of Europe to:
5.1ensure that their national legislation includes age among the criteria of non-discrimination and takes account of the phenomenon of multiple discrimination;
5.2ensure that anti-discrimination legislation is implemented effectively, including through the introduction of monitoring arrangements and an effective system of incentives and sanctions where applicable;
5.3introduce positive measures aimed at facilitating access to employment for older people, taking into account the situation of particularly vulnerable groups;
5.4make it easier for older workers who have had long periods of unemployment or gaps in their employment to re-enter the labour market;

24 September 2013

Tabled by the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development

Votes: 52 in favor 0 against 0 abstention

In the draft resolution, at the end of paragraph 5.4, add the following words: ", in particular for older women who have had long periods without paid employment, for example whilst raising children or caring for other family members, and whose employment has been marked by temporary and part-time contracts;"

5.5develop access to further training for older persons who are in employment or unemployed so that they can update their knowledge, perfect their skills and adapt to new technologies and technological developments in their professional field;

03 October 2013

Tabled by Mr Maximilian REIMANN, Mr Norbert HAUPERT, Mr Joachim HÖRSTER, Lord Donald ANDERSON, Ms Josette DURRIEU, Mr Andreas GROSS

Votes: 14 in favor 33 against 6 abstentions

In the draft resolution, after paragraph 5.5, insert the following paragraph:

"protect older persons' personal mobility, in particular in aiming to guarantee their journey to work by not hindering the extension of their driving licence with unnecessary administrative requirements."

5.6support information campaigns aimed at changing mentalities regarding ageing and raising public awareness of the issue of ageism and its ramifications for everyday life;

24 September 2013

Tabled by the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development

In the draft resolution, paragraph 5.6, after the words "raising public awareness of", replace the words "the issue of ageism and its ramifications for everyday life" with the following words: "the substantial experience of older workers, and promote innovative approaches for their employment, such as flexible work schemes wherever appropriate (for example part-time work, job-sharing, task rotation);"

5.7encourage mentoring programmes to facilitate inter-generational dialogue and promote exchanges of experience with a view to eliminating the stereotyping of older people.