On October 1st, the International Day of Older People, around 90 guests met in the Old Crane Factory in Naunhof near Leipzig for the 4th Senior Citizens’ Policy Conference of the DGB Saxony. The conference focused on the topic of age discrimination, which was examined scientifically and discussed with experts. The participants adopted key demands against age discrimination in a resolution.
Age discrimination has many facets in the everyday life of seniors: whether they are refused a loan or a credit card or have difficulties concluding a mobile phone contract, they are shown a lack of appreciation for their life’s achievements or digitalization is designed regardless of the needs of older people. And last but not least, the inadequate co-determination rights of seniors are evidence of age discrimination.
The presentations on the topic came from proven experts: Prof. Dr. Eva-Marie Kessler (geriatric psychologist in the psychology department at the MSB Medical School Berlin) spoke on the topic of “Ageism – images of aging and age discrimination in Germany”. Afsane Akhtar-Khawari (consultant at the Saxony Anti-Discrimination Office) described experiences from anti-discrimination advice. And Dr. Andrea Blumtritt (State Commissioner for Anti-Discrimination in the Saxon State Ministry of Justice and for Democracy, Europe and Equality) presented an interdisciplinary report on improving anti-discrimination protection in Saxony.
In addition to the speakers, the following took their place on the podium: Jens-Peter Kruse (Deputy Chairman of the Federal Association of Senior Citizens’ Organizations – BAGSO), Klaus Beck (Seniors’ Representative of the DGB) and Thomas Früh (Head of the Youth, Family and Participation Department in the Saxon State Ministry for Social Affairs). and social cohesion and state senior representative). They discussed with each other and with the plenary session the consequences of age discrimination and what measures can be taken against it.
The unionized seniors formulated concrete demands in a resolution to the Federal Ministry of Justice, which they passed at the end of the conference: The main focus is on an addition to paragraph 3 of the Basic Law and a reform of the General Equal Treatment Act.
The statement that DGB federal board member Anja Piel published on the occasion of the Day for Older People supports these demands: “In Germany, older people are discriminated against every day. In order for them to be able to defend themselves against this, age must finally be included as a reason for discrimination in Article 3 of the Basic Law. Because people have rights – at any age. The General Equal Opportunities Act (AGG) also needs an update. “Insurance companies are still ripping off older people with higher premiums, banks are refusing them consumer loans and courts are no longer allowing them to serve on lay judges,” says Piel. There is also a need for action at the international level, which is why Germany must step up its efforts for a UN Convention on the Rights of the Elderly.
The demand paper from the Saxon seniors will also go to the Federal Commissioner for Anti-Discrimination Ferda Ataman and all members of the Bundestag from Saxony. The Saxon chairman of the DGB senior working group, Werner Schuh, announced at his farewell that the activities in Saxony should not stop: “The 1.2 million seniors nationwide in the DGB will no longer accept the years of standstill. As part of the larger trade union community, we are committed to helping people after their working life.”
background
Older People’s Day on October 1st draws worldwide attention to the lifestyle and problems of older people. On a global scale, it is by no means certain that all older people have access to social security and adequate health care; They are discriminated against because of their age and are not adequately protected from this by national legislation and international agreements.
Resolution against age discrimination
