Authorities, I address you with deep concern and sadness for the reality that thousands of people over 40 years of age currently experience in our country, who are being displaced from work and treated as if they were no longer useful to society.
Nowadays, many companies are replacing professionals with experience, preparation and track record, with younger personnel, solely because it represents a lower salary cost. This situation is not only unfair, but also inhumane. Men and women who for years worked, contributed to the development of the country, paid taxes, built families and supported the national economy are being left aside.
The reality is that a person over 40 or 55 years old still has the strength, capacity, knowledge, leadership and experience to continue working and contributing. But they currently face silent discrimination because they are considered “too old” or “overqualified” for having degrees, experience and academic preparation.
So what happens to these people? Many have legitimately acquired debts: houses, vehicles, their children’s studies, food and family responsibilities. By losing their jobs they are left in a desperate situation. Some are losing their homes, others must return to live with relatives because they can no longer support themselves financially, and many more end up surviving informally or in extremely precarious conditions, previously having an average or good life to live.
The situation is alarming. Informal jobs increase every day because companies no longer want to hire people over 40 years of age. And in the face of this reality, painful questions arise: where do these people go? What solution does the State offer them? Should they resign themselves to poverty after having worked a lifetime? Should a person feel useless just because they have a birthday?
There are even cases in which emotional and economic desperation leads many people to depression, anxiety and even suicidal thoughts, because they feel that society and the system have closed the doors to them.
It is urgent that the Government pay attention to this problem. We cannot talk about progress, development or economic stability when thousands of educated citizens are being excluded from the labor market simply because of their age.
The true progress of a country is built by valuing the experience, preparation and dignity of its people. A country cannot advance by leaving behind those who supported its institutions, companies and families for decades. For this reason, we request that real public policies be created for labor inclusion for people over 40 years of age and older, incentives for companies that hire experienced talent and programs that protect the economic and emotional stability of those who are currently being marginalized in the workplace.
The experience should not be a punishment. Age should not become a work sentence. And working with dignity should not be a privilege reserved only for young people. (EITHER)
Karina Hidalgo Loffredo, journalist, Guayaquil
