VARIOUS groups gathered for the inaugural “Kasama DEI Summit” in Pasig City to discuss ways to help diverse groups in terms of employment and other business opportunities.
DEI stands for ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’.
Precious Works of Differently Abled Enterprise Association Inc. (PWDe) is among the lead organizers of the summit. Its co-founder Arlene Tan-Bantoto said it’s about time for different companies and organizations to talk about policies to help diverse groups gain employment not just in big companies, but even in small businesses as well.
Some of the diverse groups include senior citizens, religious minorities, persons with disability, LGBTQ+ members, persons with illness, women, and single parents.
“‘Yung mga sinasabi natin nasa laylayan, hindi makapasok sa gitna, how do we get them involved. Maraming discrimination. In fact some people hide their identity kasi natatakot sila ma-discriminate,” said Tan-Bantoto.
Archie David, co-founder of PWDe and the summit chairperson, added that some misconceptions about hiring diverse groups include businesses thinking that it’s expensive to hire them because of additional workspace considerations; some companies also are not hiring because some feel the diverse groups may not be capable of work.
“Kailangan lang natin sila makiklala. Tingnan natin kung dinrop natin ang ating mga biases, misconception at tayo’y maupo upang makilala sila, kausapin sila. They are fellow human beings, they are fellow Filipinos,” said David.
“Sometimes we are ignorant, akala natin ‘ay may disability, hindi nila kayang gawin’ when in fact there are many skill sets they can offer,” added Tan-Bantoto.
Charles Calel Gosingtian, president of JCI Manila, added that companies, big or small, should have policies in place for hiring diverse groups. It can also help if the government offers incentives for businesses to allocate a percentage of employment to diverse groups who are usually left out.
“Wish natin lumakas ang policies to make hiring and making inclusivity easier kasi aminin natin doon tayo pinaka nahihirapan,” said Gonsingtian. (ABS-CBN News)
