EPSCO Council - Promoting the full participation of seniors in the labor market

The European Pillar of Social Rights action plan sets a target of at least 78% of people aged 20 to 64 in employment by 2030. However, according to Eurostat data, the level of employment for people aged between 55 and 64 is only 59.6%. The reasons for these low figures include difficult or inadequately adapted working conditions, negative attitudes towards the adaptability and productivity of older workers, and the fact that older people, more often than other age groups, perform work which is in decline due to transitions in the economy and on the labour market.

In its December 2021 conclusions, the Council underlined that a culture of lifelong learning and investment in health and safety at work were two key factors in keeping people in work.

The latter is also taken into account in the EU strategic framework on health and safety at work for 2021-2027, which highlights the need to adapt the working environment and working conditions in order to prevent professional drop-out.

Ministers will discuss action the EU could take to boost participation in the labour market and in training, as well as ways of adapting the work environment and working conditions to facilitate long careers for older people and thus keep them in employment