Protecting Older Workers' Health in Legal Terms Comparatively European Eacquis in the Light of Ilo R162

Abstract

Introduction: This article discusses the specific laws, regulations, and recommendations aimed at protecting older workers against occupational accidents and illnesses and whether they are properly regulated by Turkish legislation compared with the European Union acquis, in order to protect older workers against discrimination, and to make their working conditions more appropriate for their ages, in the light of International Labour Organization Recommendation No. 162. Materials and methods: This conceptual article was prepared by evaluating the legal framework for protection of the occupational health and safety of older Turkish workers, through a comparison of Turkish law, International Labour Organization Recommendation No. 162, and the European Union acquis, and consideration of the facts reported in the relevant literature, using the document analysis method. Results and Conclusion: Neither Turkish labour law nor European Union acquis include sufficient regulation to protect the health and safety of older workers at work. Older workers' health should be protected specifically by social law, without driving them to poverty. Changes in the regulation of working conditions that would be supported by the social security system have been proposed to protect the health of older workers as a specially protected group.