Réflexions critiques sur le maintien en emploi de travailleurs vieillissants faiblement qualifiés : responsabilité sociale ou individuelle ?

• Main Authors: Thibauld Moulaert, Florence Laigle, Achille N’Guessi, Claude Mahau
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Institut de Recherche Robert-Sauvé en Santé et en Sécurité du Travail (IRSST) 2009-05-01
• Series: Perspectives Interdisciplinaires sur le Travail et la Santé
• Subjects: aging; maintained employment; heavy work; MSD; professional skills
• Online Access: http://journals.openedition.org/pistes/2311

This article proposes multidisciplinary (occupational physicians and sociologist) reflection on the need for prolonging careers. It is based on the limit case of low skilled workers in two companies : a waste collection company (Cleanbel), and a supermarket chain (Distribel). It intersects practical reality and ergonomics on the one hand, and aspects of responsibility and sociological reflection on the other. It shows the limitations of reflection on the employment of aging workers when the analysis of the actual work activity is not taken into account. By exploring the case of low-skilled workers, it also shows the narrow margin of manoeuvre for any possible or desired social action. In the end, we question the responsibility of this action : is it a collective one (of the State or company) or an individual one (of the worker) ?