Labour export

Law on Gender Equality

Last Updated: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 15:01:00 (GMT+07)

Delegates debated on whether the law on gender equality should also define the age of retirement. The delegates paid particular attention to this law’s proposal because the issue was particularly sensitive as it affects the incomes and benefits of labourers.
Existing labour laws stipulate that government staff or officials and public servants retire at the age of 60 for men and 55 for women.
Advocates of the existing law said that with increased physical and mental pressures being placed on women through motherhood, women should be able to retire at an earlier age to be able to spend time with their families and participate in social activities that they would not be able to do so previously.
However, some delegates including Tran Tien Canh and Dang Ngoc Hung of HCM City said that to allow women to retire at an earlier age could be a waste of a highly educated and experienced sector of the labour force. They went on to suggest that in particular professional fields such as scientists or management women should retire at the same age as their male counterparts.
The delegates also debated ways to create equal opportunities for both sexes to grow socially and economically. The delegates reiterated their desire to have equality in access to education.
Another equality issue that attracted a contested debate was the quota of women in management positions, as delegates of the National Assembly or in nomination or self-nomination for the people’s councils.

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