StandUp appreciates the fact that Mark Latham is concerned about older unemployed people. His specialist job network proposal aimed at older people might provide a bit of assistance.But the main issue is not the deficiencies of older people. It is the prejudice of employers. These days in some professions one can be over the hill at aged forty. This is a disgrace.
Under the Anti Discrimination Act, discrimination against the aged as well as sex, religion, sexual preference, transgender status, race etc. is supposed to be illegal but in reality this is extremely difficult to enforce.
If an employer were challenged on this issue, he or she would merely find another excuse for not employing the older job applicant.
There is no compulsory Work for the Dole for those over fifty. There should be no forced Work for the dole for anyone. But job network agencies find other ways of persecuting us.
One fifty five year old told us how he was forced to go to his agency office several days a week to sit all day in front of a computer -- looking for jobs which simply are not there.
Mark Latham has a knack of making policy initiatives on significant issues ignored by the Howard Government. It is indeed timely that older unemployed be put on the political agenda. But Latham is at best only offering band-aid solutions.
In no way is he guaranteeing jobs? In no way will he enforce employers to change attitude and in no way will he guarantee the right to work.
StandUp supports the right to work for everyone. No matter how old we are we still need a decent income. Working is the way to get it. Many of us also like to work as we find it creative fulfilling, providing satisfaction and for the social life. We should have the right to work if we want to irrespective of how old we are.
By StandUp NEWS posted 21 July 04
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