OECD Polish seniors in the labor market: In good health … – GazetaPrawna.pl

One of the characteristics of the Polish labor market is the early age of withdrawal from the labor market. This problem applies particularly to women. The ratio of employment rates among men in employment rates of women aged 55-64 years found in Poland is higher (1.6) than the OECD average (1.4). Moreover, in the OECD countries the wage differentials declined over the last 10 years, Poland remains unchanged – the report says.

In 2013, the unemployment rate in the 55-64 age group was 8 percent. – This is a result close to the EU average but higher than the OECD average (6 percent.). Polish unemployed seniors, however, are in a better position than the average for the OECD. Less frequently because they are affected by long-term unemployment. More than 12 months without work remained 46 percent. of them. However, compared to other countries in Poland many more seniors are employed temporarily or self-employed, while the number of workers employed part-time is small. The OECD notes that it is much easier to find in the labor market for people with higher education.

As pointed out by the OECD in its report of barriers to the employment of seniors is largely mentality of Polish entrepreneurs. The low level of employment of women over 50 year old is, according to the OECD consequence of the common belief that older women should rather take care of their grandchildren or elderly parents, and not professional work. To change this situation, you should increase the number of childcare facilities and care facilities for the elderly, as well as more flexible forms of employment.
OECD also drew attention to the poor state of health of Polish seniors. According to the OECD life expectancy of a man in Poland after completing his 50 years is 15.4 years in good health, which will enable him to reach a healthy only to the current retirement age. Also here you can see a big difference in the status of people less and better educated. Poland is one of the countries with the biggest difference in life expectancy between those with higher education and those less educated.

– Talking about all the changes and the Polish labor market should be aware of the historical context – emphasized Dr. Agnieszka Chłoń Domińczak. – We are to make these changes, we were only 25 years old. French, Germans and British had that time much more – he adds.

It also notes the OECD and stresses that Poland is leading change in the situation of seniors in the labor market. The employment rate of people aged 55-59 years increased from 36 per cent. in 2003 to 55 per cent. in 2013. On the other hand, for people aged 60-64 years was an increase from 19 to 24 percent. (OECD average 42 per cent.).

Among the recommendations of the OECD for the Polish were to accelerate change in extending the retirement age, reducing the possibility of early exit from the labor market, as well as activities aimed at entrepreneurs, including facilitating the employment of people 50+.