AMSTERDAM — A ban on age-based discrimination comes into force on 1 May this year. From that date, employers and other organisations will not be allowed to discriminate against anyone on the grounds of their age, Social Affairs Minister Aart Jan de Geus told Parliament on Friday.

The the new law will not apply to employers laying off workers who reach retirement age, currently 65, or when a job is specifically intended for young people, he said.

But in general, employers will not be allowed to use age as a reason not to hire someone, decide their working conditions or when firing workers.

The Equality Commission will monitor the implementation of the new law and can investigate alleged breaches.

[Copyright Expatica News 2004]

Subject: Dutch news