The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is calling on greater incentives for pensioners to return to the workforce.

CEO Andrew McKellar said the workforce is “screaming out for workers”.

“We’ve got one of the most pressing skills shortages that we’ve had facing the Australian economy in two decades,” he said on 6PR Breakfast.

“At the moment, if you’re on the age pension, and you want to work, you can earn up to $480 a fortnight.

“After that, your pension gets clawed back 50 cents in the dollar, that’s a pretty heavy whack if you are looking to do a bit of work.”

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