THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in a statement said it encourages workers to report companies who violate the Anti-Age Discrimination Law.
Nicanor Bon, program and policy division chief of the Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC), said the law prohibits employers from setting age limitations in advertising job vacancies in media, requiring declaration of age or birth date during work application process, denying an employee’s promotion or opportunity for training, and imposing early retirement due to an employee’s age.
“It is clearly stated in the law that age discrimination in workplaces is prohibited. Even labor organizations are not allowed to refuse or deny membership of any worker due to age limitations,” Mr. Bon said in the statement.
The statement also noted, however, that the law “exempts employers from setting age limitation in employment if age is a legitimate occupational qualification that is reasonably necessary for the normal operation of a business.”
Mr. Bon said the public should report non-compliant companies, and encouraged workers who were discriminated due to age to report to the nearest DoLE regional or provincial offices so they can be assisted in the filing of cases.
DoLE also reminded private establishments that violation of the said law is punishable with a fine of not less than P50,000 and not more than P500,000, or imprisonment of three months to two years.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR