From the Midwest redneck author of "The Rooster Crows at 4am!," "Lizard Poop!," and "The Philippines Expat Advisor"
Age Discrimination Hiring Practices in the Philippines
An old geezer (aka "old fart," borrowing Papa Duck's terminology) like me, at the age of 60, would have about as much chance as getting a job in the Philippines as that 55-year-old grandma that tried out for the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders this past May. Brothers and Sisters, it just ain't going to happen.
Photo source: mysanantonio.com
My Dad is 80 years old. He's still working a part-time job in Las Vegas along with his 60-something "girlfriend." Seniors abound at McDonald's, Walmart, Target Stores and a host of other business establishments back in the States. You cannot get hired at SM Department Stores in the Philippines unless you're between the ages of 18-25. I was told by a Jollibee's employee that they cannot be over 22.
So when I read a recent article in The Daily Guardian regarding a statute, the Anti Age Discrimination in Job Hiring Ordinance, authored by Iloilo City Councilor David C. Jamora, I was quite surprised. Age discrimination in the Philippines is rampant. The mandate, passed in Iloilo City, requires companies to accept the applications of older people for jobs whose essential functions they are able to perform.
"Applicants should be judged not on their age, but on their capacity to perform the job they are applying for, " Councilor Jamora stated. As an old geezer, Mr. Jamora, I completely agree with you. I'm not looking for a job but I'm happy to hear that someone is at least addressing this age discrimination issue in the Philippines.
According to a May 04, 2012 report in the Iloilo News Today,com., violators of the ordinance face the following penalties: warning for the first offense, P1,000 fine for the second offense, P3,000 fine for the third offense. A fine of P5,000 or cancelation of business permits is the penalty for the fourth offense. The Public Employment Services Office (PESO) is in charge of enforcing the order.
The article also stated that still pending at the national committee level is the proposed Senate Bill 2652 or the "Anti-Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 2011" sponsored by Senator Pia Cayetano. This proposed legislation would seek to prevent employers from hiring or dismissing workers and job applicants based on their age.
The ordinance states that "it shall be unlawful for any employer to publish any notice of a job opening suggesting preferences, limitations, specifications, and discrimination based on age."
Has this new ordinance in Iloilo City had any impact? I still see the same young ladies and guys at the SM Department Stores greeting all the customers with a chipper "Good morning, sir! Good morning ma'am!" at three o'clock in the afternoon.
There are a few business outlets at our local SM City where I have discovered workers that I believe may be over 40 years of age. One employee at the PhilPost office I frequent is an older gentleman. I've noticed one or two sales ladies hawking homes and lots for Camella Homes that are older, but that's about it. 
I have seen some older jeepney drivers (who may also be the jeepney's owner) but you would be hard-pressed to find a large contingent of any older workers in the Philippines. Age discrimination hiring practices in the Philippines will doubtless continue. I personally don't see it ending anytime soon.
You know, this could be the very reason that when you become an ‘old fart’ in the Philippines (over 35), there is nothing else to do except drink, gamble and attend cock fights. It’s the only ‘other’ income opportunity left!
I forgot to mention; Manny looks happier than any welterweight sporting a championship belt!
Is this mostly a factor in jobs with the public or other kinds of employers too? Are older workers usually fired at a certain age? What happens to these older workers…do they end up living with family for support?
Sorry for all the questions. I am the inquisitive sort and just curious.
As much as I love the Philippines stuff like this does drive me a bit crazy. I am happy to see some movement in the right direction.
As far as the young gals in the department stores and things like that…well I do believe that is somewhat important to the particular store. It just seems that people in certain types of stores expect a younger, uh let’s say….SEXIER person to help them.
When I go into some of these stores I am STUNNED at how many young BEAUTIFUL women there are working. It seems like there is an employee for every customer of the store. I do think the wisdom and experience older employees bring to the table should be better utilized in the Philippines. But I think that is years away before it becomes truly accepted.
Let’s face it, the Philippines is behind the times in MANY ways (and that is one reason so many of us love it there) but no one should be denied a job based on just age.
My brother-in-law in Guimaras is 40, Randy, and already considered “over-the-hill” as far as the job market goes. He keeps busy taking care of the kids (his wife has a private preschool) and has the occasional odd job. Plus, he’s opening a sari-sari store on the property. He’s a hard worker, always smiling and never complains.
Yes, Manny does look happy, Randy. I wonder if that pic was taken before he took up his current Bible studies and pronounced he’s given up booze, gambling and girls?
There are mandatory retirement ages for many government jobs, Steve. I believe some of the workers try to go into business because I’m doubtful that the meager Social Security pension here would support them. Some elderly pensioners receive 500 pesos a month, about 12 US Dollars. Many do rely on the family to support them. That’s why you find over 10 million Filipinos working abroad.
Todd, I would be amiss if I told you that I did not enjoy the attention of some of the stunningly beautiful young girls that wait on me at the SM Department Store chains throughout the Philippines. I would be a hypocrite if I would tell you that I would like some old geezer waiting on me versus some pretty pinay. Let’s face it, the owners of SM (ShoeMart) know that, too. They’e not stupid.
But that said, I AM glad that there is some attempt being made to try and end the age discrimination in the Philippines. And behind the times? Yep? Sometimes I think I’ve stepped back into a time machine and have been transported back to the Fifties.
Dave, I am with ya. I like to walk into a place and have all sorts of pretty young faces smiling and wanting to wait on me…but age discrimination doesn’t go.
There are things like this is in the Philippines that seem so far out of whack with the rest of the world it is amazing.
But I am really encouraged to see that progress is being made.
Yeah, it would be selfish of me to not want equal employment at all establishments in the Philippines, Todd. And I am glad progress is hopefully being made.
Dave,
I think older workers are better and more reliable than the younger ones. That being said, its nice to see some young pretty ones when you walk into a store.
Dave Dave Dave! Whoever said that you are an old fart is clearly in error. It is quite obvious that you are a curmudgeon. This is indeed a classier term for a refined gentleman such as yourself.
I can’t say it upsets me to have pretty pinays waiting on me either, but I also agree that age discrimination is not right. In the US you experience that too, but at least they wait until your 50 years old. If you want a job that is part time and not paying enough to maintain a household, you can get one. It’s one of the reasons that so many people have to start getting their social security at the early age of 62. It’s also one of the reasons why some of us move to the Philippines a year earlier than expected.
No complaints from me, just saying.
I agree, Papa Duck, but I’ve seen some greeters at Walmarts that were even older than me and could barely stand up.
Thanks, Tom. Me, a “refined gentleman?” Guess that means I have to stop peeing outside in daylight and reserve that activity for the night time. I’ll also have to raise my pinky when I’m holding a bottle of my favorite San Miguel product.
I agree, John Jackson. Age discrimination is supposedly against the law in the States, but all of us 50 and over know it exists. My Dad took his Social Security at age 62 and is still working at the age of 80 to make ends meet. Another good reason to move to the Philippines. That Social Security Pension can go a lot further in the Philippines if combined with some common sense.
My experience as an exceptionally old fart of 65 is that one’s cock is not up to much fighting. I suppose it may be the heat out here. Or that beer.
Talking of beer – you guys would be more than welcome at “Venezia” (The Gondola Bar) next to Guimaras State College, Calingao, Buenavista. Friday night is old foreigner fart night. (FoG – “Foreigners on Guimaras” – so fog on down and then, later, fog off.) Now, the point is that here we ALSO have imported beer eg Rogue Ales, Erdinger, Oettinger, Murphys Irish Stout, Anderson ESB, Kirin and not just San Miguel’s piddle water. Good Western food too but we can do Filipino blood-slop if that’s your preference. Contact me for the menu.
I like to keep my cock out of any fights, too, Keith, at my advanced age. Good to hear from you.
Keith, my asawa and I will have to pay a visit there next month once my monthly stipend from the States comes in. Though the Buenavista pump boat is hard for this old geezer/fart/curmudgeon to board, we could use a night out. I’ll invite one of my American expat friends from Iloilo and maybe I could persuade Brother Tom over in San Miguel to come over. Tom is a bit of a beer snob and partakes of brews other than San Miguel Pale Pilsen. Sounds like fun.
Dave said: I could persuade Brother Tom over in San Miguel to come over. Tom is a bit of a beer snob and partakes of brews other than San Miguel Pale Pilsen.
Sounds like Tom is a smart man…
He’s smarter than he looks, Gary.
And liking beer other than San Miguel piss-water does not, in my humble opinion (M’Lud) qualify you as a “snob”. It merely means that you retain some ability to distinguish good from mediocre and that you are not motivated solely by cost! One of the problems in being here too long is that you start thinking like a native. Next step – cooking on effing charcoal!
Keith, I honestly like San Miguel piss-water better than some brews I drank in America. I’m such a cheap S.O.B., however, that I even enjoy the occasional bottle of Red Horse. Brother Tom and you should get together. Tom is a brewmaster and does have an appreciation for the finer things in life. That said, I’ve seen him pop open a bottle of cheap Gold Eagle in the morning.
I am speechless!
SM is fine, actually and, although it pains me to say so as an Englishman, it’s best drunk very cold. This is, essentially, because it’s lager (ie what we call “Boys’ beer”) and not ale. My contention is that the RP needs more CHOICE. Just as we should have competition here for Guimelco to sharpen up their electricity provision on Guimaras, so too should there be a wide choice of beers!
Keith, I agree. SM tastes better ice cold. Drinking it warm doesn’t appeal to me at all. Brother Tom completely agrees with you on having a choice of beer or ales. I’m going to contact him and see if we can’t make a trip to Buenavista some Friday night.
Guimelco? Don’t get me started on them! But I’ve found an even worse “power” company in Iloilo. I’ve kept records of all of our brown outs starting with when we lived in Guimaras. We have twice the number of brown outs in Iloilo and they last twice as long. How’s that windmill project in Guimaras coming along?
Really? But I don’t suppose you pay quite as much to the buggers for the electricity? I think ours is now about P14 per KWh.
I have met Tom a couple of times at The Shirven, although he seemed more interested in peering into Mae’s undoubtedly appealing cleavage than anything else. He cannot be blamed for this, of course.
But, yes, be good to see you.
We’re paying 10.72 per KWh, Keith.
Hopefully, Tom wasn’t checking Mae out when his girlfriend, my asawa’s relative, was with him.