Help Age International Report: Older people and their right to decent work.

Help Age International Report: Older people and their right to decent work.

On 1 May, HelpAge International launched the first extensive investigation of older people and work in low- and middle-income countries. It dispels some popular myths: that older people do not work; that they are dependent on their families and that they do not contribute to the economy. Instead, it reveals that millions of people across the world continue to work well into old age. It discusses the reasons why older people work, the types of work they do, and the challenges they face.

Ugandan Joseh Bwiso, 75 is one such worker. "I face a lot of discrimination at work. The younger fishing net repairers say I am taking work from them. They ask what I have been doing with my life to be repairing nets in old age. It's hard but I ignore them. They say I should go home and rest. But if I do not work I will die. I look after 4 of my grandchildren as some of my children died from AIDS. At my age, it is difficult to look after children. But with the little money I make form this job I pay school fees and buy food".

HelpAge calls on governments, international organisations, donors, and NGOs to include older people in their decent work and social and economic development programmes. For more information please contact Helpage