Department of Labor and Employment has outlined rules and regulations governing the Republic Act 10911 or the Anti-Age Discrimination Act.
Upon signing the Department Order No. 170 on February 2, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said age does not matter when it comes to employment.
The order, Bello said, applies to all employers, publishers, labor contractors, subcontractors and labor organizations.
Under the law, it is unlawful for a recruiter to print or publish any form of media, including the Internet platform, any notice or advertisements relating to employment explicitly stating limitations based on age.
The law prohibits an employer to require the declaration of age or birth date during the application process, decline any employment application because of the applicant’s age or discriminate against an individual in terms of compensation, terms and conditions or privileges of employment on account of an individual’s age.
Likewise, it prohibits an employer from denying any employee a promotion or training opportunities based on age. It also prohibits an employer from imposing early retirement on a worker because of age.
Labor contractors or subcontractors are prohibited from refusing employment referrals or discriminate against any individual for the same reason.
However, the law sets aside exceptions when it is lawful for an employer to set age limitations when hiring workers.
A fine of not less than P50,000 but not more than P500,000 or imprisonment of not less than three months but not more than two years, or both, await violators.