EDITOR’S CHOICE

Anti-age discrimination law to benefit OFWs

MANILA: The anti-age discrimination bill, which is just waiting for President Benigno Aquino III’s signature to become a law, will benefit overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who want to return to the country for good.

“Our overseas Filipino workers will be among the prime beneficiaries of the anti-age discrimination law as this gives them a foothold in our domestic job market,” OFW advocate Susan Ople was quoted as saying by GMA News.

According to Ople, who heads the Blas F. Ople Policy Center, a group that assists distressed OFWs, once the bill is passed, OFWs who are already at an advanced age will be able to secure jobs in the Philippines.

“We look forward to the day when jobs are filled on the basis of skills, not age,” she reportedly said.

On May 30, the Senate adopted the House of Representatives’ version of the bill and it is just awaiting the signature of President Aquino.

Under the proposed legislation, the government is reportedly required to support the employment of individuals on the basis of their abilities, knowledge, skills, and qualifications rather than their age.

The bill also aims to discourage the forcible lay off a worker due to advanced age as well as imposing early retirement on the basis of an employee’s age, said the news portal.

Ople said she is hoping that the bill, once passed into law, will be strictly implemented in the country.

“The passage of this law and its effective implementation will bring us closer to our aspiration for a more inclusive growth, a more compassionate society,” she was quoted as saying by GMA News.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Articles

Back to top button