The government should be doing more to encourage companies to take on older workers and to persuade older staff not to opt for early retirement, MPs are set to tell ministers during this week’s debate on the social affairs ministry budget.

MPs from across the political spectrum have drawn up plans aimed at boosting the percentage of older people at work.
For example, Christian Democrat MPs want to combat the ‘negative image’ attached to older workers, news agency ANP reports. MP Eddy van Hijum, who is launching the CDA’s plan, says employers often mistakenly believe that older members of staff are less productive and take more days off sick.
Proposals drawn up by the opposition Liberal party (VVD) and published in the AD include scrapping the unemployment premium (WW) for employees over 55.
And Labour MPs want employers to invest not only in younger workers by making sure that all members of staff are legally entitled to extra training. Labour MPs, supported by the ChristenUnie, are also proposing a ‘no risk’ policy for older workers which would free employers from paying sick benefits.
CDA and D66 MPs also want to make it easier for workers to stay on past the legal retirement age of 65. They argue that one in five people would like to continue working even though they have reached pension age.
The debate on the social affairs ministry’s spending plans is set to finish on Wednesday evening.