Diversity initiatives seen to help propel growth for MSMEs
MICRO-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines must be proactive about fostering a diverse workplace to grow their businesses, according to experts.
“The corporate pride community should have sustainable DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) programs,” said Christopher Eugenio, a board trustee of the Philippine Financial and Inter-Industry Pride (PFIP), at their yearly summit on Friday last week.
“We’re not looking for something that’s one-and-done. DEI projects that are sustainable and viable will be the ones that will ultimately help a business,” he added.
By welcoming voices and insights from the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer) community, an enterprise can access more ideas and broaden its capabilities, he said.
“We started the journey of PFIP in 2013 and, at that time, there were only five member organizations, mostly in the financial sector. Now, we have around 80 companies covering 13 industries,” said Ronil Villacorta, corporate secretary of PFIP.
In PFIP’s LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion Survey presented earlier this year, it was found that 86% of businesses in the Philippines have anti-discrimination policies in place for sexual orientation and gender identity.
The respondents of this survey came from 22 industries, with the majority (47%) from BPO (business process outsourcing) and professional services. However, 90% of them were multinational companies, leaving a gap in information regarding DEI in MSMEs.
“Whether you’re a multinational company or an MSME, it doesn’t matter so long as there’s a commitment and investment to really promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion for your company,” said Mr. Eugenio.
“We have to help improve and update the standards for LGBTQ+ inclusion for Filipino-owned businesses and MSMEs,” said Mr. Eugenio.
PFIP is welcoming Filipino-owned businesses of all sizes to join so that they can build their Pride networks and enhance their standards for LGBTQ+ inclusion.
The 2nd Philippine Bahaghari Awards hosted by PFIP is now accepting nominations for companies, Pride networks, advocacy groups, and individuals that are championing LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion.
The awards comprise five categories: Pride Company of the Year, Pride Network Award, Executive Ally Award, LGBT Leader Award, and Pride Advocacy Award.
On the motivation behind holding this recognition platform, Mr. Villacorta said that people’s minds immediately go to celebrities when they try to think of a Filipino LGBT hero or ally, never anyone from the business sector.
“We want to recognize that being LGBT and being successful does not limit an individual to a particular industry only,” he said. — Brontë H. Lacsamana
