AN international survey among opinion leaders in the United States, Asia and Oceania has revealed that discrimination against older workers is a problem and that many employers do not regard such workers as part of the solution to tackling labour shortages spreading in many countries.

Although there are bosses who say experienced older people can continue to be productive members of their societies, they also fret about providing retirement incomes, health care and housing for them.

Others said that population aging is an opportunity to create new roles for older people in society as they are perceived as wise, respected and productive. More than this, members of this silver-haired brigade, which is growing larger everywhere in the world, are themselves consumers and so are viewed as marketing and retail opportunities by business leaders.

The poll, commissioned by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), involved 400 opinion leaders in Australia, China, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and the US. It was conducted in 2006 by the Princeton Survey Research Associates International and the findings were released recently.

Many predict their countries will experience increasing labour shortages and will adopt more liberal immigration policies to meet this problem.

Said the survey report: "While extending work life is another potential solution, many opinion leaders doubt that businesses see older workers as people as a potential source of productive labour and think that employers are poorly prepared for a future workforce comprised of older workers."

The opinion leaders see many older workers as lacking in technological savvy, flexibility and ability to acquire new skills but they agree generally that businesses should demonstrate social responsibility to handle this problem although most also said that many businesses do not have the expertise to do this, or the willingness.

Opinion was divided when it came to the question of who should provide for the older worker when he finally retires. Although many solutions were suggested, very few thought family members or the government ought to be primarily responsible.

But opinions from leaders in China and India said families are expected to play significant roles in assisting older relatives.

All surveyed said that their health care systems were not well-prepared to deal with an aging population and called for increased government efforts to ensure that older people receive better health care and adequate housing.

Five countries - China, India, Japan, South Korea and the US - said that their countries were not well prepared to deal with changes that may result from aging in their populations. But the majority of opinion leaders in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore say their countries are somwehat prepared with some saying they were well-prepared.

Said the report: "The popularity of different policy tools to help cover the increased costs associated with taking care of an aging population varies from country to country.

"Although there is a fairly wide variation, there is more support than opposition to educating the public about the importance of saving for old age, implementing mandatory private savings, and raising the retirement age.

"At the same time, there is, on average, slight opposition to tax increases, and opinion leaders in most countries are opposed to reducing pensions.

"Opinion leaders also report that some factions of society - in particular, labour unions and the business community - are not very committed to improve the lives of older people."

Those surveyed also said that other countries should set up associations such as the AARP to cater to the needs of older people. They said such organisations would be helpful when it came to providing knowledge and expertise, raising awareness about aging and influencing government policy.

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