Barroso faces age discrimination challenge from Midlands MEP at new European Parliament Question Time
October 20, 2009 4:52 PM
Barroso came under fire from Liz Lynne at first European Parliament Question Time
LibDem MEP Liz Lynne today challenged the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso to do more to tackle age discrimination in the workplace in the first ever "Question Time" session in the European Parliament.
The second part of the inaugural question time, similar to Prime Ministers Questions at Westminster but an hour long, was allocated to questions on the financial crisis and effects on employment and social cohesion.
Liz Lynne, who is Vice President of the European Parliament's Employment and Social Affairs Committee, raised this issue following evidence that older people in particular are facing increased discrimination in the workplace during the current recession.
Commenting Liz said:
"There is evidence that when times are tight age discrimination is more common. This is why the European Commission and Member States must do more to ensure EU laws banning age discrimination in the workplace are implemented.
"Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their job due to the current economic crises. While we must not forget this affects a broad range of people, it is a particular travesty for many skilled older people who may never work again.
"Age discrimination is the last thing that people should have to overcome when they are looking for a new job."
"In addition to implementation we must also make sure that people are aware of their rights under the laws we have and that individuals have more support when they are discriminated against. All too often it is difficult for an individual to prove it and take action."
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Research by Law firm Eversheds earlier this year showed a 25% increase in age discrimination claims as jobs are cut in the recession, while a recent survey from the campaigning group the Age and Employment Network showed that seven out of ten respondents said they had been told they were 'too old' for a job, up 63 per cent from last year.
Liz Lynne MEP is first Vice President of the European Parliaments Employment and Social Affairs Committee and Co Chair of the former Age Intergroup in the European Parliament.
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