Anti-discrimination measure in Prov’l Board get support
FOR 23 years old Glenn Libradilla, working without fear of discrimination because of ones gender preference is a welcome development.
He made this comment following reports that Cebu Provincial Board (PB) member Arleigh Sitoy has proposed an ordinance seeking to protect lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) from getting fired from jobs or denied promotion because of their gender preference.
“I am in favor of this plan because we deserve to have the rights and privileges that straight men and women do have,” said Libradilla who works as a make-up artist.
He added that although there is no discrimination in his workplace right now, he still would want the ordinance to be enacted for their protection.
Gilbert Rosos, a hair and make-up artist, told Cebu Daily News that the measure will ensure that LGBT’s will not just be protected in their workplace but also properly compensated.
He however added that being good in their respective craft is also important in preventing discrimination. “If people would know that we are gays, there will be no discrimination as long as you will do your work well,” he said.
Today, the PB will tackle the measure on first reading.
Under the proposed ordinance, any person who believes that he/she has been discriminated by the employer in the private sector, may file a complaint with the office of the mayor in the component city or municipality where the private establishment is located within 90 days from the alleged commission of the discriminatory act.
The proposed ordinance, if approved would require local chief executives to act on reported LGBT discrimination within five days from receipt of a complaint. The mayor shall also be required to immediately refer the case to the legal officer or any officer designated by the mayor for investigation and the submission of a corresponding report within 10 days from receipt of the mayor’s referral.
Any private employer who is found guilty of the prohibited acts for the first offense is liable to pay a fine or not more than P5,000, suspension of their business permit for a period of not more than one year for the second offense, and revocation of their business permit for the third offense. /Carmel Loise Matus, Correspondent
