The chairperson of the House of Representatives’ labor and employment committee expressed his support for a bill that seeks to increase the employability of elderly Filipinos.
The Committee on Ways and Means, in a joint hearing with the Committee on Senior Citizens, recently approved the proposed “Employment Opportunities for Senior Citizens and Private Entities Incentives Act.”
The bill would also grant private enterprises that employ senior citizens for at least six months, with a 25 percent tax deduction from their gross revenue for the total amount paid in salary, wages, benefits and trainings.
The said proposal consolidates similar measures seeking to provide more employment opportunities to senior citizens.
“The Employment Opportunities for Senior Citizens and Private Entities Incentives Act is a noble proposal that would help ensure the inclusion of the elderly,” Rizal 4th District Rep. Fidel Nograles said.
“As coping with daily living becomes more difficult, senior citizens are being compelled to work, but many of them are being turned away despite still having so much to offer,” he added.
Under the proposal, the Department of Labor and Employment would establish a system that would match senior citizens with available job opportunities.
The bill would also grant private enterprises that employ senior citizens for at least six months, with a 25 percent tax deduction from their gross revenue for the total amount paid in salary, wages, benefits and trainings.
Nograles also encouraged employers to “look beyond age, gender, and physical ability” in hiring workers.
“Hindi dapat maging hadlang ang edad, kasarian, at pisikal na abilidad. I hope that our employers will see beyond these distinctions and instead focus on merit and capability of job applicants,” the lawmaker said.
