在檳城的光華日報看到一則頗為觸目的聘請廣告：高薪聘請男女侍應生。男侍應生底薪加佣金每月馬幣2000令吉（Ringgit)起；女侍應生底薪加佣金4000令吉起；應徵者：35歲以下⋯⋯等等。
同工不同酬，是公然歧視男性的權利和侮辱他們的尊嚴，在任何男女平等的社會都不可能接受，為什麼在檳城卻可以如此肆無忌憚地刊登在報章上的？是否男女在勞工市場上供應不平衡：男的供過於求，而女的則求過於供呢？又是否在同一崗位上女人付出的比男人的多，需用雙倍的金錢來補償她們工作上額外的辛勞？又是否女性較男性更有吸引力，可招來更多的生意呢？女性身價如許值錢，尤其是那些花容月貌的美人𠒇，使我聯想到中國唐朝楊貴妃的年代，只重生女不生男的社會現象。
廣告指定應徵人年齡必須在三十五歲以下，是公然歧視不符合此年齡的所有人，在情在理都不該，但是否可容於法呢？
在主張男女平等和禁止對年齡歧視的加拿大社會裡，以上的廣告是不可能出現在任何媒體上的。不過，男女不平等和年齡歧視的情況仍然存在，同工不同酬的例子屢見不鮮。一些新移民見工時，常常因缺乏加拿大的工作經驗而被拒門外，其實這不過是僱主的借口，只是想把職位留給本地人。拒外是人之常情，包括加拿大的主流社會，不足為奇。
不過，我對這些不合符常規的廣告，愛打不平，不吐不快。奈何此時此地的人們對於這些怪現象早已司空見慣，甚至視而不見。縱使我大聲疾呼，也不過是對牛彈琴，他們仍會充耳不聞，甚至說我多管閒事。
黃啟樟2012/12/8 於檳城
2013/1/31 加拿大商報
David:
ReplyDeleteThis kind of discrimination is open and popular, not only in S. E. Asia but in the “Third Word.” Let’s look at it this way. That female servers are paid much more than the male because females make better “servants” than the males.
Now, let me tell you a true story. When I worked as public relations manager for Fortuna Hotel in Taipei, I saw an ad by another hotel looking for a general manager. It spelt out loud and clear that applicants must be European or American meaning “Caucasians Only.” That was back in 1983. Reason was that having a Kwai Lo manager could create an international image for the hotel.
Joe
Lately I heard that someone make a proposal in Japan: a handsome good looking guy will pay more income taxes than a not so good looking one. The rationale is to compensate his less competitiveness in the social activities due to his less fortunate appearance.
ReplyDeleteQuestion is: how to define the “good looking”and how to draw the line in between?
Erik Chan
In the service industry, females attract more business than males. N'est pas? Ha ha.
ReplyDeleteBill