AN INTERNATIONAL organization will launch on Thursday, June 29, guidelines for companies to help check the prevalence of discrimination in the workplace.
International Alert Philippines, a group that aims to empower locals through training, advice, and support, partnered with the Mindanao Business Council to identify the types of discrimination particularly against Moro and indigenous people employees in Mindanao.
The launching of the event, themed, "Red Flags: Principles on Diversity and Equality in the Workplace," will take place at the Marco Polo Hotel today at 11:00 a.m.
"Red flags..." lists warnings to make companies aware of existing practices that discriminate against job applicants or employees of certain religious or ethnic backgrounds and how they can rectify these.
These guidelines seek to encourage business firms to foster inclusive workplaces while serving as warning, at the same time, of how poor labor relations and a negative reputation pull them to the bottom.
The group is looking on conducting a study in the future to release data on the prevalence of discrimination in Mindanao.
"If we could release a data, then it will start to be more believable for them (the companies),” said Francesca Humi of International Alert Philippines.
Humi said they will start in Davao City and hopefully, introduce the guidelines nationwide soon.
In 2012, the Davao City Council has unanimously approved an ordinance that bans discrimination against members of the third sex, minority groups, and differently abled persons.
The ordinance, known as the Anti-Discrimination ordinance, was passed amid reports that members of some sectors in the city were being discriminated against because of the way they act, appear and their being considered members of minority groups.