Older workers face challenges in staying employed as companies favor younger candidates

Many readers have shared their experiences with this issue.

Reader Uyentieuloiloi shared: "At 41, I've worked at the same company for 16 years. When I was 25, my team had six people. Only two of us remain, and the company hasn't hired replacements. Work and payment are calculated based on tasks done, not hours. At this age, my colleague and I can't afford to change jobs and have no choice but to stay.

I work harder to avoid being replaced, but the fear never leaves me. No matter how much effort I put in, I could still be let go because the company sees me as too old to compete with younger employees. A raise is out of the question, but the workload stays the same. Still, I have to stay for my children's future."

This is the reality for many aging workers in Vietnam. In other countries, laws exist to prevent age discrimination and protect employees over 40. Vietnam, however, lacks such protections, leaving middle-aged workers vulnerable, especially as layoffs increase.

An upset middle-aged worker. Illustration by Pexels

Reader Tran Linh shares a similar struggle: "I live alone, struggling with hearing loss after years of work. Now, I face job insecurity because of age discrimination. No matter how hard I try, I’m always on the layoff list. I’ve bounced between companies, but at my age, when I need a job to survive, I might not be able to. The future looks bleak."

For many, job rejections become routine. Reader Thao Phan has witnessed this firsthand: "I work in the clothing industry, where many job seekers over 40 apply but are turned away. The company only hires those between 18 and 40. Every time I see a middle-aged applicant leave empty-handed, I feel awful."

The situation extends beyond blue-collar jobs. Thao Phan continues: "My husband, 45, worked in IT. In 2024, his company shut down his department. It’s been over a year, and he still can’t find a new job. He’s applied to nearly 50 companies, but they all reject him, saying they only hire workers born between 1995 and 2001. He’s not old enough to retire but not young enough to be hired."

Reader Fan Bayern suggests legal safeguards for older workers: "A government response is necessary, but until then, we must help ourselves. First, stand up for your rights if you’re unfairly fired. Second, middle-aged workers should learn new skills, like a foreign language. Remote work is becoming a trend, and there are opportunities for work in a different country."