"The transformative influence of globalization, the driving force of late modernity, has created a new kind of economy. The replacement of the manufacturing base with the service industry and the proliferation of sophisticated communication and information technologies are just two characteristics which have produced a dramatic change in the labour market, irrevocably reshaping the traditional employment relationship. Work which is repetitive and poorly remunerated has increased and recent evidence suggests there is a disproportionate representation of older workers in such jobs. As the labour force ages (constituting the anticipated silver Tsunami) and the availability of younger workers decreases, international agencies and national governments have sought to implement various strategies in order to accommodate this demographic phenomenon. New laws have been promulgated in a wide range of countries, designed to confront ageist attitudes and challenge unfair workplace practices which discriminate against older workers exclusively on the grounds of age. This article analyses recent statistics and assesses the extent of age discrimination, the economic implications, and the success of various legal initiatives designed to combat workplace ageism."

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