Ageing And Employment Policies/vieillissement Et Politiques De L'emploi: Norway 2004

This report, part of a series covering around 20 OECD countries, contains a survey of Norway's main barriers to employment for older workers, an assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of existing measures to overcome these barriers, and a set of policy recommendations to further action by public authorities and social partners. These recommendations are designed to alleviate some of the pension and health care pressures governments are facing because of ageing populations. Executive Summary and Recommendations Introduction Chapter 1. The Challenge Ahead -The Demographic Challenge Potential Economic and Social Impacts Chapter 2. The Current Labour Market Situation of Older Workers -1. Labour Market Participation 2. Employment Situation 3. Unemployment among Older Workers in Norway is Low 4. Patterns of Inactivity Chapter 3. Protecting People while Enhancing Work Incentives -1. Welfare Schemes - A Way Out of the Labour Market? 2. Old-Age Pensions 3. Alternative Pathways to Early Retirement Chapter 4. Encouraging Employers to Retain and Hire Older People -1. Employment Policies and Older People 2. Labour Costs 3. Employment Protection 4. Subsidising Labour Costs for Older Workers 5. Measures Taken by Social Partners Chapter 5. Strengthening Employability -1. Eduaction Attainment and Labour Market Status 2. Training of Older Workers 3. Active Labour Market Programmes and Vocational Rehabilitation 4. Work Environment and Job Satisfaction Chapter 6. Mobilising Labour Supply More Generally -1. Increasing Hours of Work 2. Alternative Ways to Boost Labour Supply 3. Policy Coherence 4. Maintaining the Momentum Bibliography In the face of rapid population ageing and the trend towards early retirement, there is a need to promote better employment opportunities for older people. Much has been said about the need for reform of old-age pensions and early retirement schemes but this may not be sufficient to raise employment rates for older people significantly or to reduce the future risk of labour shortages This Report Contains A Survey Of The Main Barriers To Employment For Older Workers, An Assessment Of Measures To Overcome These Barriers, And A Set Of Policy Recommendations For Norway.