Margarita Usova: age must not become grounds for restricting labour rights
On 16 October, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Margarita Usova, Deputy General Secretary of the General Confederation of Trade Unions (GCTU), presented draft recommendations on protecting the labour and social rights of older-generation workers. She outlined their main provisions to participants in the round table "Active and Healthy Longevity: State Policy and Social Innovations", dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the CIS.
Usova set out the key provisions of the GCTU-drafted IPA CIS recommendations "Main Areas of Social Policy towards Older-Generation Workers of CIS Member Nations".
The document provides for measures to prevent age discrimination, preserve pension rights, support employment and develop mentorship. The GCTU has proposed enshrining the principle of equal pay for work of equal value regardless of age and preserving the pension rights of citizens who continue working past retirement age.
The draft pays particular attention to employment guarantees for older workers involved in mentorship.
"We must not allow a situation where a person who has passed on their experience to the next generation ends up in a vulnerable position themselves," Margarita Usova stressed.
The GCTU has also proposed providing, automatically, the guarantees and compensations due to workers who have spent long periods in hazardous or dangerous conditions, including the right to an early pension.
For the first time in the practice of CIS model lawmaking, the recommendations are addressed not only to public authorities but also to employers and trade unions. The draft also reflects proposals from Commonwealth countries on developing flexible forms of employment and recognising the professional competencies of older migrant workers.
Margarita Usova reported that on 15 October the draft had been supported by the IPA CIS Standing Commission on Social Policy and Human Rights and recommended for adoption at the upcoming 61st plenary session.
The round table concluded with a resolution providing for continued CIS cooperation on active and healthy longevity, the exchange of experience in applying social innovations, and the development of measures to keep older citizens active in work and public life.
The event was organised by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of Azerbaijan with the participation of the CIS Executive Committee. The round table brought together representatives of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as CIS bodies.
GCTU News
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