One in five low-paid workers in Ireland is over 50, a new report has found. The report was produced by researchers at UCD and funded by a research bursary from the Low Pay Commission.
The report found that of Ireland's 420,000 low-wage workers, 80,000 individuals, or one in five, are over 50 years of age.
That means 16% of workers over the age of 50 are eligible for minimum wages, compared to 24% of all workers. Older workers have a different sector profile compared to all low-paid workers. They may work in administrative and healthcare/care roles but are less likely to work in sectors such as retail, accommodation and food.
Women aged 50 and over are paid less than men of the same age – €10.00 per hour compared to €10.58 per hour in 2018, a gender pay gap of 5.5% for the lowest paid.
On a household basis, adult low-wage workers live in households with one or two adults, either of whom may be the sole worker in their household and the owner of the property they live in. More than half have their property mortgage-free.
Conversely, the majority of low-wage workers live in multi-adult and multi-worker households and are twice as likely to be renters.
Interviews with 20 older low-paid workers across Ireland, the report also looked at the reasons why workers over 50 are working on low wages.
All of the older workers in low-wage jobs interviewed for the research identified financial need as an important driver of their entering, returning to, or remaining in the labor market. Inadequacy of pension income was also a factor influencing older workers to continue to draw low wages
Beyond economic needs, participants highlighted a number of other reasons that influenced their decision to take or stay on low wages. The report reflects the desire for flexible work available according to personal and family circumstances, as well as those that match their skills, location, family background and work expectations.
This research underscores the need to understand older workers' participation in the labor market beyond the perspectives of income and productivity. Although income is important to this group, their participation as workers and improved lifestyles and social interactions are linked to other goals. The report states.
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