Capitol urges private sector to hire PWDs and seniors

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Board is calling on 51 towns and cities to promote partnerships with private sectors in engaging the services of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and older workers in order to maximize their contributions towards nation building and to sustain their employment opportunities.

This is through a resolution authored by Cebu Provincial Board Member Thadeo Jovito M. Ouano and approved last May 22, 2017.

The Province of Cebu is well aware of the problems experienced by PWDs and older workers especially with regards to job opportunities. Oftentimes, employers prefer workers who are between the age of 21 to 35 which leaves out those who are above the specified age but may be more capable of delivering a better work output.

The resolution promotes Section 9, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution stipulates that the state shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide social services, promote full employment, a  rising standard of living and improved quality life for all.

Moreover, Presidential Decree 442, the Labor Code of the Philippines, declares it as a basic policy to afford protection to labor, promote full employment, ensure equal work opportunities regardless of sex, race, or creed and regulate the relations between the workers and employers.

Based on the 2010 Census of Population and Housing (2010 CPH) by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), of the 92.1 million household population in the country, 1,443 thousand persons or 1.57 percent have disability.

In Central Visayas, out of 6,785 households, there are 109 households with PWDs, or 1.6 percent of the region’s population.

In addition, Republic Act 10911 or the Anti-Age Discrimination in Employment Act penalizes employers who refuse to hire workers because of their advanced age. The new law stated that it is unlawful for employers to require a declaration of age from applicants, nor can they decline employment applications citing age as reason.

Research and studies have shown that older workers have proven themselves to be flexible, loyal to their companies, and available to spend more hours on the job.

Older workers also serve as mentors to younger workers due to their valuable talents and immeasurable experiences which tend to increase productivity in the workplace. —/JBB (FREEMAN)