1 in 3 employees in HK say they have suffered age discrimination

January 08, 2016 12:39

A third of Hong Kong employees say they have felt the effects of age discrimination. Photo: HKEJ

More than one in three employees in Hong Kong said they have suffered age discrimination in the job market over the past five years, Headline Daily reported Friday, citing a newly released survey.

The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) interviewed 401 employees by phone starting in November 2014.

The survey showed that 35 percent felt the effects of age discrimination, such as receiving lower compensation, losing promotion opportunities or being laid off.

Of the interviewees, 78 percent said those aged over 60 are most vulnerable to discrimination, and 7 percent think the problem is very serious in the job market.

The survey showed that 70 percent of those interviewed hope the government will introduce laws and regulations to prohibit age discrimination.

However, some employers are against such legislation.

Edmond So, general manager of Besteam Personnel Consultancy Ltd. was quoted as saying that senior management positions are usually taken up by older and experienced people.

Age discrimination is subjective and hard to solve through legislation.

Chu Chung-man, head of policy and research at the EOC, urged the government to monitor the prevalence of discrimination by regular investigations.

He proposed that the authorities take the lead in recruiting senior or retired employees.

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