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Tue, Feb 09 2010
Europeans report rising ageism in job market
Around one in six people in Europe claim to have personally experienced some kind of discrimination in the past year, according to the results of a new opinion survey released by the European Commission. In particular, 64 per cent of Europeans are concerned that the recession will contribute to more age discrimination in the job market. The latest Eurobarometer results come ahead of this year's European Equality Summit, to be held in Stockholm on November 16 and 17.
"Discrimination remains a problem across Europe and people's perceptions of it are broadly stable compared to last year," said equal opportunities commissioner Vladimír Špidla. "One area of concern is the perceived rise in age discrimination as a result of the recession. These results show that despite progress, we still have a long way to go in making people more aware of their rights to equal treatment, particularly at national level and ensure that equality remains not just an empty phrase, but becomes reality."
Respondents' experience of discrimination seem similar to last year's survey. Overall, 16 per cent of Europeans reported experiencing discrimination (on the basis of race, religion, age, disability or sexual orientation) in 2009, the same level as in 2008.
There was a strong increase in perceived discrimination, however, based on age and disability. A total of 58 per cent of Europeans consider age discrimination to be widespread in their country, compared to 42 per cent in the previous survey while 53 per cent cite disability discrimination (45 per cent in 2008).
"Discrimination remains a problem across Europe and people's perceptions of it are broadly stable compared to last year," said equal opportunities commissioner Vladimír Špidla. "One area of concern is the perceived rise in age discrimination as a result of the recession. These results show that despite progress, we still have a long way to go in making people more aware of their rights to equal treatment, particularly at national level and ensure that equality remains not just an empty phrase, but becomes reality."
Respondents' experience of discrimination seem similar to last year's survey. Overall, 16 per cent of Europeans reported experiencing discrimination (on the basis of race, religion, age, disability or sexual orientation) in 2009, the same level as in 2008.
There was a strong increase in perceived discrimination, however, based on age and disability. A total of 58 per cent of Europeans consider age discrimination to be widespread in their country, compared to 42 per cent in the previous survey while 53 per cent cite disability discrimination (45 per cent in 2008).
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I'll give you a timely example:
Major Hasan, - the "American" who shot 30 and killed 13 of his fellow soldiers in Texas, could've been stopped because all the signs were apparently there and he fit the stereotype perfectly. However, had the CIA or any other organization responsible for it, tried to do something about him, they would've been in major legal hot water, and probably subject to those same wonderful, "huge government fines" you speak of and would like to see implemented in BG.
He was strict Muslim, spoke against the West, and glorified suicide bombers - you'd think all that is grounds for dismissal?
All they could do, is sit and watch him.
It's not the 13 that he killed - they are soldiers and therefor sign up for the possibility - it's the new rules and regulation that, knowing the Americans, are sure to follow.
Another few billion added to the bill with their Chinese bankers, for security aimed not against the most probable future culprits, the Muslims in their ranks, (that would be discrimination) but against all soldiers "just to be fair" as it is in their airports where profiling is illegal, so any white old lady can find herself getting some of that, probably forgotten physical attention, but of the wrong kind...
"I live in the US where discrimination has serious consequences for employers through huge government fines."
Among other things... the legal system in the US has become de facto a wealth re-distribution vehicle, with lawyers acting as facilitators. Considering that the high tech company I worked for there, had more bodies in the legal department, than in had in the R&D, one has to assume that the different forms of liability, including discrimination, are a major chains on the legs of their economy, that renders them un-competitive in a more globalized setting.
The sad thing is that in the US everyone pays for this in ways most are ignorant of. Think of it as giant lottery system, where every one is forced to play against their will:
Occasionally someone hits the jackpot with some ridiculous court award, but the rest pay for it in mark ups and fees added for every service or product. You are better off using the money to provide services for all, instead of this constant investment in the involuntary "Power Ball" they call "legal system"...
I am not sure that the US is a good model to follow.
Discrimination is huge problem in Bulgaria specifically. I live in the US where discrimination has serious consequences for employers through huge government fines. I am not sure if Bulgarian law explicitly prohibits discrimination or if the legal system pursues claims of mistreatment at the work place.