On alleged age discrimination and breach of the Equal Treatment Directive by Germany 

Petition addressed to: Petitionsausschuss des Europäischen Parlaments

The petitioner, who works as a maritime pilot, takes the view that he is a victim of discrimination because under paragraph 18 of the German Maritime Pilots Act he is allegedly banned from pursuing his profession, on age grounds. In addition, the mandatory retirement age for people born in the same year as him has now been raised, with the result that, if he is forced to retire early, his pension will be reduced. The compensation he is being offered is allegedly not enough to offset the loss. Thus, in addition to being forced to retire early, the petitioner would also incur a financial disadvantage. He asks for checks to be carried out to determine whether Germany is in breach of the Equal Treatment Directive and for steps to be taken to end such discrimination.