Discrimination by age bracket has denied lots of potential that would have contributed positively to the world economy, insisting that Nigeria cannot be different.
Nigerian lawmakers in the Senate have announced their resolution to abolish age limitations in job advertisements by employers across the country.
The resolution was sequel to a motion sponsored by the Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District, Senator Patrick Abba Moro, on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday.
“It is pathetic that a graduate in Nigeria who could not get a job upon graduation and decided to go back to school with the hope that a higher qualification or a second or Master’s degree could give him a better employment opportunity is thrown into a career paradox when upon completion of his Master’s, he comes out to find that he is now above the age of employment and therefore not employable by the sole reason of his age,” Daily Post quoted Moro as saying while moving the motion.
According to the lawmaker, such discrimination is in contravention with Chapter 4, Section 42 (2), of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, also emphasizing on the provisions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) that prohibit age placement in the advertisement of job opportunities.
He added that discrimination by age bracket has denied lots of potential that would have contributed positively to the world economy, insisting that Nigeria cannot be different.
Senator Moro further stressed that at age 30, Nigerians can still serve in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), describing it as ironic that some establishments consider people over 30 unemployable, a development he said is in clear breach of applicants’ fundamental human rights.
The lawmaker therefore called on the Federal Ministry of Labour, Employment and Productivity to draw up policies that would enthrone equality immediately.
After debates on the motion at the plenary presided over by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, the lawmakers adopted a resolution calling on the Ministry of Labour and Employment to redraft policies abolishing age limitations in job advertisements in the country.