THE VOLUNTARY nature of the Government's recently-published draft Code of Practice still offers no satisfactory long-term solution to tackling the deeply-ingrained practice of discriminating against older workers purely on grounds of age.

Experience in the US and elsewhere has proved that such schemes are ineffectual without the full backing of the law - a fact which was acknowledged by Labour in Opposition (1995) in an unequivocal written commitment to seniors' organisations that it would introduce anti-ageist legislation on attaining power.

Because older people are perceived as an "easy" target, they are often the first to be singled out for early retirement, a socially-acceptable euphemism for redundancy, which often leads to a lower long-term income for those who choose to accept this dubious "benefit" and may increase dependency on state support until retirement age is reached.

As a member of the newly-formed Equal Rights on Age (ERA) group, a coalition of seniors' organisations united in their goal of comprehensive legislation to outlaw age discrimination wherever it occurs, this local branch of The Association of Retired and Persons Over Fifty is helping to present a vigorous response to the Code's approach to age discrimination in the employment market.

Information from anyone who has been discriminated against on grounds of age would be welcomed by our Executive Director, Don Steele, who may be contacted at Greencoat House, Francis Street, London SW1P 1DZ.

Dan Muir

Chairman, Bolton

ARP/O50 Friendship Centre

68 Kermoor Avenue, Bolton

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