'I am upset that a public institution is not practising what the Government preaches.'

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MRS PATRICIA LEONG: 'My husband, who has just left his customer service job, was delighted when he saw a recruitment advertisement for library assistants in the newspaper. He has always talked about getting a job in the library. He called the number provided, but to his disappointment, he was told that the National Library Board would consider only applicants who are aged 50 and below. The person on the line explained that some physical duties, such as pushing a trolley of books, were involved. As a human resource practitioner who has attended numerous seminars and workshops organised by the Ministry of Manpower and the Singapore National Employers Federation calling for an end to age discrimination, I am very upset that a public institution is not practising what the Government preaches. The least it could do was to grant all candidates an interview for further assessment. I have advised my husband to volunteer at the library instead. Perhaps, as a volunteer, he will not need to push the heavy trolley of books.'

This article was first published in The Straits Times.