City holds LGBT-focused job fair

CEBU, Philippines - A number of job applicants who belong to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) group yesterday took part in the Cebu City government's job fair focused for them.

More individuals belonging to the LGBT group are encouraged to apply in the two-day job fair that started yesterday and being held at the Ayala Active Zone.

City Tourism Officer Punky Oliverio said the city government organized the activity to promote anti-LGBT discrimination in job recruitment process.

Through the job fair, the city also wants to send a message to the LGBT community that they have also the right to acquire a job regardless of their gender identity.

Oliverio said she herself experienced being discriminated when applying for a job in one of the companies in the city some 10 years ago.

"I applied in one of the top five accounting firms in this country but I didn't know the reason why I was not hired but after a friend of mine got hired, she tried to find out why I was not hired. The main reason why I wasn't hired because they don't like a member of LGBT community in their firm and that's the only reason," she narrated.

At least nine companies joined in the said job fair and are willing to hire LGBT members: Convergys, Support Save, Eperformax, Teleperformance, Dunkin Donuts, Watson, Accenture, Rulls, and McDonalds.

Meanwhile, former city councilor Alvin Dizon, who authored City Ordinance No. 2339 prohibiting the public to exercise discrimination, said it is the right for the LGBT members to be treated equally in the community by giving them the right to acquire jobs regardless of their gender identity.

Dizon hopes that on or before December, the city government with the go signal of the mayor can convene the Anti-Discrimination Commission.

Last October, the city established a LGBT help desk where LGBT members can raise their complaints should they are being discriminated in society. (FREEMAN)