Are CE jobs a form of discrimination?

j2u

Hi im 22 years of age and im trying my best to get a job. There are some jobs listed as CE (Community Employment) jobs but you have to be 25 or over to apply or 18 years or over and be a refugee or traveller.
So does that not discrimate on the grounds of ageism and because im not a refugee or traveller?
when i spoke to citizens advice she thought it was and advised me to contact the equality information line but they are closed at the moment.
I just dont think its fair that i cant get a job to gain more work experience in a given field based on the fact that im not older,a refugee or a traveller?
I really dont understand the basis of the age requirement. Do they think thats its easier to get a job if your under 25 because i would love to see some evidence proving this.

leeroybrown

This is an interesting one. What I'd suggest is that they'll likely be officially designated in such a way that they are a 're-training programme' or 'support scheme' rather than a 'job' thus allowing them to avoid restrictions imposed by employment laws.

eth0_

Well, they're not even jobs! They're better described as work experience - you're there for 3/6/12 months and you don't earn anything from the company, you just get to keep your dole money.

Welease

Is there the concept of positive descrimination in Ireland? It exists in some countries, making it perfectly legal (and in some cases required) to hire from specific minorities.

j2u

but i dont understand how on earth it is legal?
Yes/ NO answer to this next question.
If i open up a trainingg school in any discipline and say no refugees or travelers are allowed participate in this course is that legal?
As far as i know it is not so why is it legal the other way around?

Welease

ok did a quick check.. positive descrimination is legal in Ireland, so yes they can do it..

Descrimination is outlawed on 9 grounds

• Gender
• Family status
• Marital status
• Age
• Disability
• Sexual orientation
• Religion
• Race
• Membership of the traveller community.

But..

The Act gives protection to employees in both the public and private sector as well as applicants for employment and training. It allows an employer to put in place positive action measures to promote equal opportunities on gender grounds. It also allows positive action specifically geared towards the integration in employment of people over the age of 50, people with disabilities and members of the traveller community

EQUALITY LEGISLATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND - THE EMPLOYMENT EQUALITY ACT 1998

http://209.85.229.132/search?q=cache:jFLZmpt_9xoJ:www.dublinpact.ie/word/Equality-Legislation-IRL.doc+positive+descrimination+in+rep+ireland&cd=5&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ie&client=firefox-a

leeroybrown

Is I said above it's an interesting one. I'd like to see someone from a legal background comment on this but I doubt that it will happen here.

As I pointed out above I'd suggest that the way that the CE scheme is framed will mean that it's not really employment. This would mean that the the Employment Equality Act (as amended by the Equality Act) as quoted above wouldn't apply but rather the more general provisions of the Equality Act (and Equal Status Act). That said, this still doesn't dismiss the fact that this could be construed as age discrimination.

What interests me is that the government have already made these kinds of age-based provisions for social welfare and the minimum wage so the Attorney General will clearly have reviewed them and there would likely have been legal challenges if they weren't sound.