DOLE affirms commitment to promote gender equality in workplace

Responding to the ever changing need for gender equality in the workplace, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) today said it will continue to evolve its policies and align itself to the demands of the Filipino workforce, especially on the need to address issues concerning gender and discrimination against women, lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBTs)



In a statement, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz said that “although much has been achieved in the country’s struggle for gender equality and fairness over the years, much, still has to be done. The pressing issue of discrimination against women and LGBTs has to be remedied.”

“This is in line with the 22-point labor and employment agenda of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III that highlights the promotion and protection of workers’ rights,” the Labor Chief said, adding the Labor Department will continue to develop and find new ways to bring forth solutions in addressing the gender issues in the workplace.”

“This has led us to delve deeper to find lasting solution to the issue,” Baldoz said, as she referred to the recently concluded Working World Trialogue held at the Bayview Park Hotel in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.

“The inputs from the discussions will be taken into account by the ILS and will be used in research to formulate solutions surrounding the gender issue,” Baldoz said.

Meantime, the DOLE Chief called on employers to provide for a policy on “meritocracy,” where job applicants and employees are hired and promoted on the basis of their qualifications, abilities and merits relating to the performance of their jobs, and not on the basis of gender, sex, creed, beliefs and nationality.

“This effort is the first step in promoting equal rights for women, LGBTs and other workers affected by discrimination in the Philippines,” Baldoz said.

The forum, dubbed “Working World Trialogue Series 10.10 Discrimination in the Workplace: Beyond the Stereotypes,” has achieved considerable success in bringing together a unique mix of gender experts, workers’ groups, employers and civil society to discuss issues confronting the workplace on rights at work, employment opportunities, social protection and social dialogue.

Speakers from diverse range of stakeholders, from government, trade unions and employer groups, including representatives from the International Labor Organization (ILO), Philippine Commission on Women, UP-Manila Center for Gender and Women’s Studies, Rainbow Rights Alliance, People Management Association of the Philippines, Center for Migrant Advocacy, PS-Link, Akbayan, and Ang Ladlad participated and shed light to the burning issue of gender-based discrimination in the workplace.

Baldoz said that the Labor Department is now in the process of organizing other fora of this type to help bridge the gap between the genders and bring about gender equality in the workplace.

Among the DOLE officials who participated in the event are Assistant Secretary Ma. Joji V. Aragon, ILS Executive Director Cynthia R. Cruz, representatives from the ILS, Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Labor Communications Office (LCO).

DOLE affirms commitment to promote gender equality in workplace