The Christian trade union CNV is pleading for mandatory retirement at age 65 to be scrapped.

CNV chairman Bert van Boggelen said on Tuesday he wants businesses and government to review the employment policies for senior citizens.

The rule that employees automatically stop work at 65 should no longer be included in collective labour agreements, the union says. About a year before their pensionable age, employees should be asked to indicate whether they want to continue in their job, fulltime or parttime, after 65.
This will ensure that the qualities of experienced older workers find better use, according to CNV.

The pensionable age is a hot issue in Dutch politics. The Christian-Labour government coalition wants to raise it to 67, but the main FNV trade union is opposed. The government has allowed the Social-Economic Council, a major advisory body, to come with alternatives to "pension at 67" before 1 October.

(ANP)