Short Changed!
Here we go again, there is nothing in the 2017 budget to help older people get a job!
The intergenerational report commissioned by the Treasury in 2010 raises issue on the ageing population, and its impact on the economy. The report suggests increasing the labour force participation rate of older people to compensate for the shrinking working-age population. The government encourage older people to stay longer in the workforce, and others to look for work. Yet, nothing has been done to support those who are genuinely looking for work.
The truth is, older people are willing to work if they can get work. The problem is, there is not a lot of jobs around. The situation is also exacerbated by the fact that companies do not want to employ people over 55. The inducement of $10,000 to businesses to hire older worker did not seem to work. Companies are still refusing to hire older people.
It is evident that older workers may form part of the solution to the decreasing working-age population, yet employers seem reluctant in giving the older job seeker the opportunity to prove their merits. Clearly, there is a need to educate companies about older workers. Employers seem to think that seniors are untrainable, unable to embrace new technologies. This notion is nothing but a myth.
Take me as an example, I am 56 years old, and I am tech-savvy, and the evidence is here on this web blog which I designed and developed. I am not scared of modern technology. I have no hesitations in learning new technology and acquiring new skills. I have a wealth of knowledge and experience that I can contribute to any organisations. Despite all these, I am yet to find an employer who would take me on my merits.
Employment policies developed by the past and the present government is biased, and the system that reinforces these policies is inadequate. As an older married woman, I feel I am marginalised by job services provider. This observation stemmed from a recent experience with Employment Plus, a job service provider based in Midland. As a non-Centrelink recipient, I am not eligible for full service other than the use of computers and access to the internet. My quest in finding work is being hampered by policies designed to limit the services to married women. The government seem to think that because you are married, you are taken care of, you don’t need to get a job! What if I am in a volatile relationship and I want to leave my husband? I have no job and no money! What should I do? I am frustrated by the lack of support from the federal government. Their silence on this matter is deafening!
If the government is concerned about the growing number of people in the aged pension, and declining working-age population, then it is time to review the current employment policies and the services that support them.
Tuesday, 23 May, 2017. Written by: admin.
