Police unions complain of age discrimination in retirement plea to equality watchdog

The police unions have taken their fight to lift the mandatory retirement age for serving officers to the equality watchdog, accusing the government of age discrimination.

But they might be disappointed as Hong Kong does not have a law against age discrimination.

In January, the government announced that from June new recruits to the civil and disciplined services would work five more years before retirement. New civil servants will work until 65 and new disciplined services employees, including police officers and firefighters, until 60.

The move angered unions who want the changes to apply to existing staff, who have to apply for an extension to carry on working. Unions say new recruits are being unfairly favoured.

"The incumbents and new recruits will not compete on equal terms, and incumbents will likely be discriminated against because of their age," says a letter to the Equal Opportunities Commission signed by Joe Chan Cho-kwong, head of the Junior Police Officers' Association, with the backing of the city's three other police unions.

The letter, addressed to the commission's chairperson, Dr York Chow Yat-ngok, also notes that the effects of the government's new policy will only be felt in 40 years' time, long after the problems of the ageing population and shrinking workforce become evident - the motive cited by the government when it first proposed changing the rules.