FIGHTING ageism is good for business, says a charity. Age Concern is inviting employers in the North-west to sign its Business Pledge and help to break the age barrier at work and in the market place.

An Age Concern/ICM poll found that 71 per cent of people in the region are opposed to being forced to retire from work at a fixed age.

The charity claims that ageism costs the economy £5.5 billion in Government tax and benefits and £31 billion in lost production because of older workers' wasted skills and experience. As the population ages, a lot of older customers without spending power will be bad for the economy, too, Age Concern says.

On top of these findings, an EU directive on age equality will outlaw age discrimination in the workplace by 2006.

Age Concern in the North-west will launch its Business Pledge campaign on Friday, November 28, at Ewood Park, Blackburn.

The charity, which has its Bolton base on Ashburner Street, is inviting 100 employers to attend the event to find out more about the EU directive and what its impact on business' policies and procedures will be.

Representatives will be invited to sign the "Break the Age Barrier" business pledge.

By signing the pledge, business will commit themselves to tackling ageism in the workplace and to providing opportunities for older workers.

Any employer in the region wishing to attend should contact Jamie Anderson at Age Concern on 0151 666 2220 or email Drop a line...jamieand@aol.com for a booking form.