No Age Discrimination Bill Filed at Senate
By blungel0830
@blungel0830 (841)
Philippines
February 2, 2011 12:40am CST
I had to read the title twice before it could actually sink in. At last, someone took notice of the discrimination that is actually happening in the Philippines against older people in the work force.
About 2 years ago, I started a discussion here regarding this prejudice against an aging workforce. And now, Senator Pia Cayetano has filed Senate Bill 252 that proposes to make it unlawful for an employer to publish or print, even on the internet, any notice or advertisement relating to employment "suggesting preferences, limitations, specifications, and discrimination based on age."
I hope this is passed and made into law! What do you think of this?
5 responses
@IshmaelAhab (114)
• Philippines
4 Feb 11
This may be beneficial to the old people but I think that Pia Cayetano and other legislators should be cautious in the drafting of this bill. One reason is that there are jobs that is suitable for certain age brackets. An example are jobs that demand physical labors like in construction. These kinds of jobs is hazardous to old people because too much physical labor may cause their health to suffer. Thus, it should not be wrong for construction firms to put age brackets regarding construction workers. But if this bill is passed, then construction firms might be prosecuted if they demand that construction workers should fall to certain age brackets.
Pia Cayetano must act cautiously on this because it may have negative impact to the business sector.
@blungel0830 (841)
• Philippines
4 Feb 11
I believe they have put this into consideration when they filed the bill. It states in part that it "should not be unlawful for an employer to set age limitations in employment if age is a bonafide occupational qualification reasonably necessary in the normal operation of the particular business...".
There are indeed jobs that will require the agility and strength of a younger person that some older people no longer possess.
@IshmaelAhab (114)
• Philippines
4 Feb 11
It's good if Pia Cayetano considered that. Yeah, there are occupation that demands certain age bracket.
Though, even she consider those concerns, I still advise caution so that all sectors will not be shorthanded and negative effects are prevented or minimized.
@FX777222999 (437)
• Philippines
3 Feb 11
Good news to all abled-senor citizen workers.
1 person likes this
@blungel0830 (841)
• Philippines
4 Feb 11
Senior citizens will have to check with the SSS, though, if they are already receiving pension and want to return to the workforce.
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
2 Feb 11
We have a discrimination law here but it's not the perfect solution. I've been passed up on many jobs only to find later that they hired someone younger, prettier and with less experience. Proving that, though, is tough. They can give any number of reasons why they didn't hire you--a bad credit record, they can say a reference said bad things about you, they can name any number of good reasons why they didn't hire you.
It's good to have such a law but don't expect it to solve all the problem.
1 person likes this
@blungel0830 (841)
• Philippines
4 Feb 11
You have good point there. It remains to be the prerogative of the employer as to who they prefer to become part of their company's workforce and to demonstrate this they can very well look for loopholes in existing laws.
@EdnaReyes (2622)
• Philippines
2 Feb 11
This will surely be welcome by our seniors who's been discriminated from having work because of age. If this pushes through we can still enjoy the expertise of the seniors and they will be more productive than before. And of course, we can all benefit from this in the nearest future!
1 person likes this
@blungel0830 (841)
• Philippines
2 Feb 11
Agreed! But then the government should still continue to work on improving the economy so that there will be enough jobs for both experienced workers and fresh graduates.
Thanks for responding.
Thanks for responding. @mva1861 (1)
•
23 Jul 11
I lost my job when I am 41 years old and until now that I am already 50 years old, no company hires me. The last company who interviewed me last July 21, 2011 simply said that I am over qualified for the position I am applying - for me this is another way of saying that I am too old for the job.
