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Union leader calls for security guard age limit to be raised

Raising the retirement age for security guards is a matter of urgency, with about 3,000 losing their licences every year when they turn 65, a union boss has warned.

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Security guards outside the Consulate General of the United States Hong Kong and Macau in Central. Photo: Edward Wong

Raising the retirement age for security guards is a matter of urgency, with about 3,000 losing their licences every year when they turn 65, a union boss has warned.

Hong Kong currently has two non-gun security licence classifications. Licence B allows guards to take up jobs at any premises, but has an age limit of 65.

On reaching that age, a holder can then transfer to Licence A, but that only permits them to work in single-block residential buildings.

"A lot of people in the industry are middle-aged and are affected by the age cap. It limits their job options and many could be pushed into retirement," said Tam Lok-kei, general secretary of the Buildings Management and Security Workers General Union.

"The number of single-block residential buildings - usually old tenement buildings - is shrinking, so there aren't always enough jobs to go around."

Tam said the fear of being unable to find a job after the age of 65 was real for many.

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