O TRABALHO DO IDOSO NA UNIÃO EUROPEIA E NO MERCOSUL

Abstract

The increase in life expectancy and the low birth rate in developed and developing countries are currently causing changes in the population scenario and require reflection on the implications of these changes in the economic and social sphere. The aging process is less intense than before, so it is common to find elderly people with physical and intellectual vigor able to stay or be inserted in the labor market. The objective of the work is to demonstrate how the protection of the work of the elderly in the European Union and Mercosur occurs. The reason to study both blocks is that this is the most effective way to approach the issue, considering the largest number of countries in an integrative, economic and social perspective. Throughout the work, the elderly people are conceptualized internationally and the norms of protection of their work in the European Union and Mercosur are identified. The delimitation of the research is done within the European Union, considering the post-crisis period of the bloc, specifically the years 2015 to 2019, using documents issued by the European Commission, EUROFOUND, EUROSTAT and other institutions. In relation to Mercosur, a more historical analysis of its social norms (1997, 1998 and 2002) is made, contextualizing them with the laws, policies and programs existing in the countries of the States Parties in the last years (2015-2020). The methodology adopted is descriptive, documentary and bibliographic. Descriptive, as it describes the historical approach of the elderly population; work as a human right; and how is the work of the elderly in the regional blocks mentioned. Descriptive, as it describes the historical approach of the elderly population; work as a human right; and how is the work of the elderly in the regional blocks mentioned. Bibliographic, because it uses the use of texts with contributions from several authors in analytical studies published in books, articles and dissertations. Documentary, since texts without analytical treatment are used as legal documents of the European Union, Mercosur, the Member States and States parties, the International Labor Organization and the United Nations; as well as World Health Organization magazines. As theoretical references it’s use the contributions of Simone de Beauvoir (1970) to delineate old age throughout history and its consequences; Hannah Arendt (1973) to demonstrate the elderly as a person with “the right to have rights”; and Norberto Bobbio (1992) to demonstrate that social reality is fundamental for new rights to emerge (in the case of research, the labor rights of the elderly). The protection of older workers in the European Union and Mercosur is differently defined. While the European Union pays attention to the social rights of this population, regulating issues linked to its work, Mercosur shows itself as an eminently economic bloc, with scarce legislation on the subject. It should be noted, however, that in both blocks the standards are not effective in implementing the rights and guarantees they protect.