Ageism in the Skies: StarLux Airlines Fined for Discriminating Against 56-Year-Old Job Applicant

StarLux, a major airline in Taiwan, faces penalties after being found to have discriminated against a seasoned worker.

A 56-year-old worker in Taiwan faced repeated rejections from StarLux Airlines, leading to a fine of NT$300,000 for the airline. The worker applied for six different positions in August and September of the previous year, but never made it past the initial application stage.

The applicant received the same generic response for each application: "Due to limited vacancies, we regret that we are unable to utilize your expertise at this time." The worker believed he was a victim of age discrimination and filed a complaint with the Taoyuan City Labor Department. StarLux was subsequently fined.

The six positions the worker applied for included "Pilot," "Baggage Handling and Wheelchair Services Personnel," "Aircraft Operation Personnel," "Cabin Cleaning Personnel," "Loading and Unloading Personnel," and "Cargo Towing Personnel." Despite these multiple applications, the worker was denied an interview for any of the roles.