Government is in support of legislation that prohibits age discrimination, according to two Progressive Labour Party (PLP) Ministers.

Minister of Health and Family Services Patrice Minors said she was looking at how many people any possible change would affect.

"We need to see how much of the population a change in the law would affect, as it might be only a small portion of people who want to remain at work as they turn 65."

Minister of Community Affairs, Youth and Sport Dale Butler said his Ministry was looking into the matter and speaking to community stakeholders.

"We are awaiting feedback to ensure that all the various groups have been contacted," he said.

"Some people are 70 to 80 years old and they are healthy and could offer more to the world of work. The Human Rights legislation is under review."

In an article in The Royal Gazette last week, Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) president Derrick Burgess called for a change in the Human Rights legislation to prohibit age discrimination. He said people at the current retirement age of 65 should decide themselves whether to retire or not.

Mr. Burgess also called for the retraining of the elderly, as they were a source of wealth in the workplace.

Age Concern executive director Claudette Fleming suggested that the public lobby employers and call on Government Ministers for the rights of the elderly.

She said there were plans to speak to Premier Alex Scott about the rights of senior citizens, to allow them to remain employed once they turn 65.

Ms Fleming said: "It is not a law that people have to retire at any age, it is usually up to the employer and is a general practice in Bermuda."

She said the idea of retirement was an erroneous belief for many people and most cannot afford the luxury.

"The idea of retirement is a North American fallacy and is based on the fact that you will have adequate funding," she said.

"Perhaps Government can introduce legislature to stop employers from carrying out this policy."

She said the issue was very complex and would take a lot of work to get sorted.

She added that insurance premiums sometimes go up after people turn 65 and many employers preferred to let seniors go rather than keep them on.

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Age Concern is hosting `The Senior Factor Weekend for mature adults to get the chance to learn new things such as navigating the Internet.

On September 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at CedarBridge Academy, seniors will be provided with a showcase of retail products to benefit their lives and will even get a chance to learn about the ever-evolving Internet with free classes and an afternoon variety show.

"The Exposition has been planned to educate and provide an opportunity for mature adults to have one-on-one access to service providers and their products. In addition, the retail service industry will be given the opportunity to meet the growing seniors' consumer market," an Age Concern press release said.

Possibly being the first project of its kind in the field of age concern, the exposition will provide information for people of all ages and there will be give-aways to appeal to public participation.

The ACE Foundation, Cablevision and Community Partners/The Royal Gazette are the major sponsors of the event that will cost $2 for non-members.

Age Concern will also be presenting an Appreciation Luncheon on September 14 to celebrate those founding and supporting contributors to Age Concern.

Lady Swan, Patron of Age Concern of Bermuda is supporting the luncheon called "Celebrating our Foundations" which will take place at the Harbour View Ballroom at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel.

The luncheon is from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature Claudette Fleming, the executive director at Age Concern, who will speak on `Rising Beyond the Voices - Where do we go from here?'

Tickets for the luncheon are available at the Age Concern office for $30 or telephone the office at 238-7525 for more information.