THE Blas F. Ople Policy Center is pushing for the passage of a law that will stop practices of local companies from discriminating workers they consider as “over-aged”.
“If there is a law that prevents age discrimination in local workplaces, our overseas workers will feel encouraged returning knowing that they would have a fair chance at landing a job," the group said.
The center said countries like Hong Kong and South Korea have citizens that are over 50 years old, but are still able to find work in the service industry sector and other business establishments.
Senate Bill 29 or the Anti-Age Discrimination in Employment Act, which remains pending in Congress, aims to stop existing practice of companies favoring younger applicants or set preferred age limits for specific jobs.
Ople Center issued the call as they continue to receive reports from returning OFWs who were unable to find local employment opportunities, because they are already over the 30-35 years old.
“Most of the OFWs, who approached us for repatriation assistance, are concerned they might not find local employment when they come back home as their contracts expire,” the Ople Center said.
The group said returning OFWs who are already considered locally as “over-aged” are left with no choice but to just leave for overseas jobs anew.
“We call it the 'baba maleta’ (drop the luggage) syndrome, where OFWs reunite with their families only to leave again because their age becomes a barrier to local employment," said the Ople Center. (HDT/Sunnex)