Challenging Employment Discrimination in the Philippines

Summary

Eros Rama from Galang, a non-governmental organization in the Philippines, discusses the challenges faced by Filipino lesbians, bisexual women, and trans men, particularly in Quezon City. Key issues include gender pay disparity and employment discrimination due to maternity leave. Rama highlights the organization's focus on capacity-building, policy advocacy, and combating intersectional issues like poverty and sexuality. Galang's efforts aim to educate employers and advocate for inclusive policies, empowering these communities to become their own advocates and leaders.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Eros Rama is from the Philippines and works with Talyn, a non-governmental organization focusing on Filipino lesbians, bisexual women, and trans men in urban poor communities.
• 🏙️ The main area of operation for Talyn is Quezon City, located in the National Capital Region of the Philippines.
• 🎖️ Eros Rama serves as the deputy executive director of Galan, overseeing the organization's overall operations, including capacity-building, policy advocacy, networking, and research.
• 💼 Rama's primary focus is on capacity-building within the organization, which aims to empower the communities they serve.
• 🚹 Equality in opportunities for women is a pressing issue, with disparities in opportunities, benefits, and salaries between men and women with similar competencies.
• 🏳️‍🌈 Discrimination against lesbians, bisexual women, and trans men in employment is prevalent, with employers often preferring to hire men to avoid maternity leave obligations.
• 📈 The expanded maternity leave law, passed in March, increased paid maternity leave from 60 to 105 days, which is beneficial but may also deter employers from hiring women.
• 🏫 Intersection of poverty and sexuality affects education, with bullying leading to dropouts and limited job opportunities, potentially forcing individuals into the informal sector or migration.
• 🛠️ Talyn's approach includes educating employers in both public and private sectors to be more gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory in hiring practices.
• 📋 Rama advocates for policy reviews and changes to promote inclusive and non-discriminatory environments, especially in the public sector.
• 🌐 The organization faces challenges in raising awareness and empowering individuals within the LGBT community to advocate for their rights.
• 🏛️ Talyn engages with government mechanisms, such as the SDGs, to influence policy and program development that supports and empowers women and the LGBT community.
• 🏆 Quezon City has a comprehensive local policy against discrimination, covering employment, education, and services, making it a leader in inclusivity for the LGBT community.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of Talyn, the organization mentioned in the transcript?

Talyn is a non-governmental organization that works with Filipino lesbians, bisexual women, and trans men in urban poor communities, focusing on capacity-building, policy advocacy, networking, and research, with a particular emphasis on capacity-building.

Who is Eros Rama, and what is his role in the organization?

Eros Rama is the deputy executive director of Galan, where he supervises the overall operations of the organization.

What are some of the pressing issues faced by the communities Talyn serves?

The pressing issues include unequal opportunities and salary distribution for women compared to their male counterparts, discrimination against lesbians, bisexual women, and trans men in employment, and pregnancy-related discrimination.

What was the impact of the expanded maternity leave law passed in March of the current year?

The expanded maternity leave law increased paid maternity leave from 60 to 105 days, which is beneficial for employed women as they have more time with their newborns, but it may also lead to employers being reluctant to hire women due to the extended leave period.

How does Talyn address the intersection of poverty and sexuality among young LBTQ+ individuals?

Talyn addresses this by educating and advocating for policies that are more inclusive and non-discriminatory, especially in hiring practices, and by empowering individuals to understand and uphold their rights.

What strategies does Talyn employ to combat discrimination in the workplace?

Talyn educates employers in both public and private sectors to be more gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory, and advocates for policies that prevent discrimination in hiring and other areas.

What challenges has Talyn faced since its inception in 2008?

One of the main challenges is the lack of awareness among LBTQ+ individuals in urban communities about their rights and the need for them to be empowered to advocate for themselves.

How does Talyn engage with the government to promote gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights?

Talyn uses mechanisms like the SDGs to encourage the government to pass policies or implement programs that empower and enable LBTQ+ individuals and women in the workforce and education.

What is the significance of the anti-discrimination ordinance enacted in Quezon City?

The anti-discrimination ordinance in Quezon City is comprehensive and applies to employment, education, and services in both public and private establishments, ensuring non-discrimination and inclusivity for diverse individuals, including the LGBTQ+ community.

How does the Philippine development plan relate to gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights?

The Philippine development plan is patterned after the SDGs, which include gender equality as a key component, and some cities, like Quezon City, have enacted their own anti-discrimination ordinances to further this goal.

What is the role of education in Talyn's approach to empowering LGBTQ+ individuals and women?

Education is crucial in Talyn's approach as it helps individuals understand their sexuality, become aware of their rights, and develop the skills to become leaders and advocates in their communities.