Over-50s are a prime resource, argues CBI
Recruitment problems caused by decline in numbers of young people 'won't end in the mid-1990s'
Date:
09 February 1989
Source:
Page:
9
The Confederation of British Industry has told the House of Commons Select Committee on Employment that it expects the over-50s to be “one of the prime groups from which companies will be seeking to meet their recruitment needs”.
CBI deputy director-general Kenneth Edwards said in a statement to the committee that recruitment problems caused by the decline in the numbers of young people available for work would not end in the mid-1990s with the expected slight upturn in numbers. “Rather, we are seeking a steep reduction in the numbers of young employees. And with the passage of time, that squeeze will apply up the scale of the workforce”.
Evidence presented by the CBI showed a drop of half a million in the 16-19 year olds in the labour force by 1994, while the proportion of the labour force over 45 showed a projected increase from 28.6 per cent last year to 31.2 per cent by 1995.
Among the proposals put forward by the CBI in order to help employers cope with an older workforce is a ‘flexible decade of retirement’ allowing access to a state pension for all those between the ages 60 and 70. Current occupational pension schemes, it said, reflect the rigidity of the state scheme, and compulsory retirement at state pensionable age has been the norm.
It also wants to see a change in the ‘penalties’ imposed on working pensioners whereby those earning more than £75 a week may have their state pension docked accordingly or may even lose the whole pension through part-time working.