Economic potential of women 50+ must not be overlooked

The plenary session of the European Parliament today overwhelmingly adopted a Report by Edit Bauer MEP on the disadvantageous situation of women approaching retirement.

The Report deals with and formulates recommendations to the European Commission and the Member States on the most neglected age group on the labour market. A shameful fact is that the employment rate for women over the age of fifty is only 37 percent, the goals of the Europe 2020 Strategy being to reach 75 percent. According to Edit Bauer, rigorous steps should be taken to keep this age group on the labour market preventing them from spending their retirement years in poverty. Mrs Bauer said: “These women possess knowledge, skills and experience that must not be neglected.”

Unfortunately, women over fifty often have to face multiple discrimination on an everyday basis. They are overshadowed not only because of their gender, but also because of their age. “Women are considered old much earlier than men and this in itself indicates a clear discrimination. In addition, the gender pay gap among older women is much deeper than in any age group. This is mainly due to the fact that women are often forced to interrupt their careers, most often because of childbirth or homecare of their dependent family members. These so-called ‘inactive periods’ accumulate and have a significantly negative impact on the reckoning of pension”, pointed out Edit Bauer. Furthermore, we have to prevent women being penalised simply because of motherhood or taking care of family members. In her Report, Edit Bauer calls on the European Commission and Member States to take these factors into account while preparing the pension reform.

Another huge problem and also a cause of early retirement is the health status of elderly women. Both the European and the national health policies should take into account the specific diseases of women, like breast and cervical cancer and osteoporosis. “Most of these diseases can be prevented if recognised in time, so Member States should take appropriate measures to draw the attention of women to regular cancer screening and prevention. Member States should ensure that these tests are available all the time”, concluded Edit Bauer.

My speech as rapporteur at the beginning of the debate: