A job ad for sanitation workers in Guangzhou has sparked outrage over age discrimination after it set a strict age limit of 35 for applicants. The move fueled frustration among Chinese workers approaching middle age, who are already contending with the “curse of 35” — a growing age bias in the job market that makes it increasingly difficult for older workers to secure opportunities.

On Feb. 12, the Xinshi Subdistrict in southern China’s Guangzhou City posted an ad for community sanitation workers, which initially set the 35 age limit, with a possible extension to 40 for applicants with a valid driver’s license.

The employer justified the restriction by citing the physically demanding nature of the positions, which involve tasks like manually loading and transferring household waste, as well as night and early morning shifts. But after widespread backlash over the course of one week, the ad was updated on Feb. 19 to widen the age range to “18 to legal retirement age.”

Screenshots of the first job description spread widely on Chinese social media. Hashtags like “No one loses their working capabilities at 35” went viral, drawing millions of views on the microblogging platform Weibo.

Most comments criticized the age limit, with many expressing concerns over the difficulty of finding work as they age. “Thirty-five is the prime of one’s life — physically, mentally, and in terms of experience. How has it become a curse?” read one popular comment on Weibo.

The backlash highlights growing insecurity among Chinese workers approaching 35, a group increasingly affected by the so-called “curse of 35.” Originally coined on social media to describe layoffs of older workers by tech companies, the term reflects an age bias that paints workers over 35 as less energetic, more expensive than fresh graduates, and unwilling to work long hours due to family obligations.

This bias is widespread, with some employers even considering workers over 25 too old for entry-level positions, like cashiers at milk tea shops. The trend has sparked concern, especially after China raised the statutory retirement age earlier this year.

“It’s hard not to feel anxious about aging in the job market,” a 39-year-old surnamed Wen from northeastern China told Sixth Tone. She added that at 34, and despite a bachelor’s degree, she was rejected for a cashier position at a bookstore because she was considered “too old” for the job.

“The employer asked me only two things after reading my resume,” she recalled. “Whether I’m in my 30s and whether I could physically handle the workload of a cashier.”

Across the country, this bias has many like Wen facing similar dilemmas. Competing with younger applicants for the same job means she must constantly enhance her expertise and skills to stay competitive, but time is limited.

“If I weren’t considered ‘older,’ I’d definitely choose to improve my professional skills by returning to school,” she said. “But now, the cost of aging is rising. Every year in my career feels more precious than ever.”

Last November, the central government took a step toward addressing the issue by raising the age limit for those taking the national civil service exams from 35 to 40.

Chinese law lacks specific regulations against age discrimination, but the “curse of 35” contradicts the principles of equal employment and the spirit of relevant laws, according to Liu Yuanye, a labor lawyer at Guangdong Shendong Law Firm. “Age should not be the primary factor in determining someone’s capability for a job.”

“Biases against middle-aged workers not only deprive job seekers over 35 of equal opportunities but also waste valuable talent,” Liu told Sixth Tone.

Additional reporting: Li Miaoran; editor: Apurva.

(Header image: VCG)