FDA disappointed with retirement age ultimatum - 14 December 2004

The FDA reacted today with disappointment at the Government's plans to allow employers to force workers to retire at 65 under new age discrimination legislation due to be implemented as part of the European Employment Directive.

Jonathan Baume, FDA general secretary, said:

"We are very disappointed with this announcement. The FDA has long been campaigning for an end to age discrimination, especially in view of the skills experienced workers can offer and the growth of the aging population. We seek a flexible retirement age that allows workers to choose when they retire. We are dismayed that the Government is taking this choice away from workers when they should be aiming to create a 'decade of flexible retirement'.

Baume warned that this announcement had mixed messages when coupled with last week?s announcement that the pension age will rise from 60 to 65 for public sector workers.

"What is particularly hard to swallow is that this announcement comes less than a week after Government proposals to raise the pension age to 65 across the public sector. Now they are saying that employers have a right to force workers to retire at that age. Where are the rights for employees? The Government should be advocating a secure and flexible retirement for workers, not an ultimatum."

Under the UK legislation, which will come into effect from October 2006, employees can request to work beyond 65 and employers must give the request serious consideration. The default age will be reviewed after five years.

"We are dismayed that the Government does not intend to review this legislation for five years, and has not set a clear date for ending age-based retirement policies as the Directive requires. The Government is proposing five more years of discrimination based on age which will be bad for business, taxpayers and the economy."

Notes for Editors
1. The FDA is the trade union and professional body representing the UK's 12,000 senior civil and public servants. Our members include policy advisors, senior managers, tax inspectors, economists, statisticians, accountants, special advisers, government lawyers, crown prosecutors and NHS managers.

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