Older workers "a major asset to companies" says MEP.

2.58.12pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 5th Apr 2004

West Midlands Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynne has welcomed the publication of a brochure in favour of the employment of young people and olderworkers.

The brochure has been published by the European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC) and the European Federation of Building and Woodworkers

(EFBWW) and is designed to assist construction companies develop tutoring systems in which an older worker helps and advises a young recruit starting out in the company.

Liz, the European Liberal Democrat spokesperson on Health & Safety, commented:

"I am delighted to see that umbrella organisations like these are

beginning to recognise the positive contributions older workers can make.

I believe older workers are a major asset to companies right across the UK and have campaigned hard in the European Parliament to protect their rights."

The publication of the brochure came in a week when Liz questioned new Employment & Social Affairs Commissioner Stavros Dimas over the role of older people in the workforce and the implementation of EU legislation.

The European Council recently concluded that there are unacceptably long delays in Member States implementing the 2000 Employment Directive, which includes an anti-discrimination provision on age. After asking the Commissioner his views on the situation, Liz said:

"I thought it was important to question the Commissioner on this issue because governments should be acting now to ensure effective implementation. The age provisions in the directive don't have to be transposed into national law until 2006, but the government should act now in order to prepare businesses for the legislation and end discrimination in the workplace. If we are serious about lifelong learning, that also means lifelong employment. Age should never be a barrier if someone is capable of doing a job."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC) represents

construction companies of all sizes across 25 countries (17 countries of the European Union and European Free Trade Area, the Czech & Slovak Republics, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey and Cyprus)

The European Federation of Building and Woodworkers (EFBWW) represents 2.3 million workers for the building and woodworking sector.

The Construction Industry is the biggest industrial employer in Europe, with 1.9 million companies and nearly 11 million workers. Around 26 million workers in the EU depend, directly or indirectly, on the construction sector.

Liz Lynne MEP is a member of the Employment & Social Affairs Committee and the Third-Age Intergroup in the European Parliament.

Stavros Dimas was approved by the European Parliament last Thursday to be the new Employment & Social Affairs Commissioner. He replaces Anna Diamantopolou, who resigned her position after being elected to the Greek Parliament last month.