Unveiling the Reality: Elderly Discrimination Remains Prevalent in Thuringia
Elderly individuals often face bias and unequal treatment - Old Age Discrimination: Prevalent Issues Faced by Many Individuals
In the heart of Thuringia, the state parliament's Left Party faction sounds the alarm: age discrimination is still rampant among seniors. Katja Maurer, the Left Party's social policy spokeswoman in Erfurt, acknowledges the lack of respect and recognition often faced by the elderly. A survey by the Anti-Discrimination Agency revealed that one-third of people above 65 have experienced age discrimination [1]. With more than a quarter of Thuringians being 65 or older, June 15th - International Day against the Abuse and Discrimination of Older People - serves as a somber reminder of the issue at hand [2].
Maurer argues that politics and society share the responsibility for this discrimination. She points out that the loss of employability and increased care needs with age are often tacitly blamed on older people. This blame manifests in various ways, such as barriers to accessibility, low pensions, and a complex bureaucratic process to secure care services [1]. In an effort to combat this, the Left Party champions a ban on age discrimination etched into the Basic Law [1].
Of the 577,000 older people in Thuringia, approximately 57% are women. A shocking one-third of the elderly live alone, with Thuringia's figure only marginally lower than the national average [1]. Around 6% of individuals aged 65 and over are still working, of whom nearly two-thirds sustain themselves through employment, not a pension or retirement [3]. As Thuringia anticipates one of the most pronounced population declines in coming years due to fewer births than deaths, it is crucial to address age discrimination to foster an inclusive society [3].
Legal Landscape of Age Discrimination (Additional Insights)
- Germany's legal and policy framework on age discrimination hinges on the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG), in place since 2006. This law prohibits discrimination in employment and civil law relationships, including age [4].
- While the AGG lays a foundation, practical enforcement and widespread ageism remain challenges [4]. Efforts such as lifelong learning initiatives, flexible retirement schemes, and support for older workers seeking employment aim to counteract demographic change and keep seniors engaged in the workforce [4].
- Social security and pension reforms incrementally raise the statutory retirement age and encourage longer labor force participation, hoping to sustain pension systems and promote older workers' employability [4]. However, these changes risk aggravating inequality for those who cannot work [4].
Advocates for Change (Additional Insights)
- The Left Party, along with other progressive political groups, actively campaigns for stronger protections against age discrimination and the rights of older people [4].
- They advocate for stronger enforcement of the AGG and additional measures to combat ageism in all aspects of society [3][5]. They also support international initiatives pushing for a dedicated UN convention on the rights of older people [3][5].
- The party is part of ongoing efforts to draft such a convention, following the UN Human Rights Council's landmark resolution in April 2025 [5]. Additionally, they champion age-friendly workplace policies, such as flexible working hours, anti-discrimination training, and robust social security measures [4].
- They collaborate with civil society organizations, unions, and other advocacy groups to raise awareness and push for policy changes that eliminate age-based barriers and ensure the respect of older people's rights [4].
Key Points on Age Discrimination in Germany (Summarized)
| Aspect | Current Legal/Policy Status | Efforts by The Left Party and Others ||-------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|| Legal Protection | AGG (General Equal Treatment Act) | Advocate for stronger enforcement and new measures || Labor Market Policies | Measures aiming to counter demographic change | Push for inclusive, age-friendly workplace policies || Pension/Social Security| Incremental retirement age increase | Ensure reforms do not increase poverty/inequality || International Advocacy | Push for UN convention on older persons’ rights | Advocating for a stronger international framework |
- The Left Party in Thuringia's state parliament is urging a ban on age discrimination written into the Basic Law, echoing their quest for stronger protections against ageism, citing the AGG (General Equal Treatment Act) as a foundation that requires more practical enforcement.
- In the fight against age-based barriers, the Left Party and other progressive political groups in Germany are advocating for age-friendly workplace policies, such as flexible working hours, anti-discrimination training, and robust social security measures, as well as international initiatives pushing for a dedicated UN convention on the rights of older people.
- Recognizing the intersection of aging, health-and-wellness, and policy-and-legislation, the Left Party financially supports science in the study of vocational training for the elderly with the belief that these opportunities bolster employability, reduce discrimination, and foster an inclusive society amidst the impending effects of a declining population in Thuringia.
