Conference Ageing Populations and New Opportunities for Business

“Companies benefitting from the need to keep elderly people in their workforce”.

Ilaria Savoini Brussels, 15 March 2012

Short presentation of EuroCommerce

• Funded in 1993 • Represents the interest of wholesale, and international trade vis-à-vis the EU • More than 100 members, included: – Commerce federations in 31 countries – Companies/groups of companies – National and European organisations representing sub- sectors – International organisations (USA, Canada, India, China…) – EuroCommerce is the recognized social partner for SD at EU level – social partner is UNI Europa – The social dialogue Committee has been implemented in 1998, after years of informal social dialogue

2

1 Activities of EuroCommerce in link with demographic change (1) • Issue addressed in the social dialogue with UNI Europa already in 2002 • Also a priority in our work programme for the social dialogue in 2012-2013 • Several examples of good practices implemented in commerce companies • Special focus this year since it will be the European Year for Active ageing and demographic change • EuroCommerce is member of the Multi-stakeholder coalition for demographic change propoted by AGE Europe

3

SD Outcome: guidelines on age diversity in commerce (1) • 26 March 2002 : Joint agreement on age diversity in commerce

• challenge of allowing older workers to remain longer in the labour market whilst promoting job opportunities for younger people.

• EuroCommerce and Uni-Europa agree that the following guidelines are recommended for the benefit both of enterprises and employees when approaching the age asppgects of human resources management.

=> pro-active approach

4

2 SD Outcome: guidelines on age diversity in commerce (2) • Voluntary guidelines with age neutral approach to employment relations • Goal is to enable older workers to stay longer in active working life • Opportunity for business • Need for training support: incentives should encourage workers of all ages to take up learning and training opportunities •Regular follow-uppyg and survey among the members to monitor the implementation

5

Manifesto for an Age-Friendly European Union by 2020 • On 7 November 2011, EuroCommerce participated in an event to promote the 2012 European Year (EY) for active ageing. • On this occasion, the multi-stakeholder coalition for the EY 2012 , supported b y EuroC ommerce, l aunch ed its Manif esto. • This Decalogue of the age-friendly society includes a number of recommendations; • EuroCommerce mainly focuses on an inclusive labour market • The aim is to achieve to achieve an age-friendly European Union by 2020. • Stakeholders are encouraged to create partnerships at EU and national level in order to promote active ageing and solidarity between generations. • See: http://www.eurocommerce.be/content.aspx?PageId=42176

6

3 Some examples of good practices implemented in the commerce sector • (UK): support to senior employees by hiring long term unemployed people in the age group 55-65 through our Regeneration Partnerships and maintain a strong connection with retired staff who have extensive knowledge of the business and to repay loyalty to them and keep them up to date about what is happening at Tesco

• (FR): Passeport Senior: Passeport Senior : anticipate the evolution of careers for senior staff and maintain them at work

• Kika Leiner group (A): A mentoring project where older employees shall be mentors for younger ones, workshops on the subject “Cooperation between generations”, projects integrating older jobless people together with the public employment service and other institutions.

• REWE Group (DE): Fit for longer at workplace - new measures for older employees - from training sessions on proper sitting posture at the cash register to compensatory exercises that counteract one-sided strain

7

Thank you for your attention!

For more information: [email protected]

4