THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is set to look into the proposal to scrap the mandatory retirement age of 65, saying there are advantages and disadvantages involved.
In a radio interview, DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said the agency still has to adopt a position on the proposal of Senior Citizen party-list Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes Jr. filed at the House of Representatives.
“It is not a simple issue that permits us to have an immediate conclusion. We must always consider a deeper assessment of such proposals,” said Laguesma. “For us at DOLE, we want to have an extensive study of the proposal first.”
The labor chief said the proposal has its pros and cons.
“Those that don’t have jobs and are younger than 65 can have employment opportunities,” he noted. “On the other hand, given the advances in technology and science, even those aged 70 can still be able to work.”
Under the Labor Code of the Philippines, 65 is the compulsory retirement age for an employee.
But under House Bill 3220, an employee who will reach the age of 65 can choose to continue being employed.
