DEVELOPMENT OF LEGAL MEASURES FOR THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF ELDERLY EMPLOYMENT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR

Abstract

This study aims to examine the employment status of older workers in the private sector and propose legal measures to promote their employment at both the national and local levels, with a particular focus on Khon Kaen Province. Utilizing a qualitative research approach, the study involves key informants categorized into three groups: 1) 10 older individuals aged 60 to 79 with employment opportunities, 2) 10 employers from large, medium, and small enterprises, and 3) 10 experts in labor law practices, including government officials from the Ministry of Labor, local administrative officers, labor law academics, and judges, totaling 30 participants. The research employs structured questionnaires and interviews as data collection instruments. Data were gathered through questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions, and subsequently analyzed using content analysis. The findings reveal a continuous decline in the proportion of older workers in the private sector from 2017 to 2023, except for an increase observed in 2022. The majority of older workers are female, aged between 60 and 71 years. Following retirement at 55, most older workers remain unemployed, lacking sufficient income and often living alone without caregivers, despite being in good health and capable of working. To address this issue, the study proposes legal measures to encourage the employment of older workers, including the establishment of a minimum wage based on the Subsistence Wage Theory, the Just Wage Theory, and employers' financial capacity.