The BPO Employees, Gays, Lesbians, and Allies for Genuine Acceptance and Democracy (BEGLAD) support the observance of May 17th as the Commemoration of International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia, which kicks off today. As the world celebrates this triumph in history, massive oppression and discrimination among LGBT and queer people still prevail in different parts of the world. Regardless of beliefs and races, many countries still prohibit the rights of LGBT individuals to self-expression and identity, which results in confusion and struggle to live as human beings. Discriminatory laws, practices, and beliefs towards LGBT individuals lead to denying them self-autonomy, as well as the right to a better workplace.
However, in the Philippines, which has been considered the gay-friendliest country in Southeast Asia according to a recent report by an independent Pew Research Center, the actual realities are a little different. It is undefined how LGBT workers live, especially the majority of BPO workers. Despite the culture and promotion of good acceptance in the workplace for LGBT individuals in private institutions and BPO companies, BPO workers are still prone to not having a good place to work and are open to the possibility of losing their jobs. Wages are not intact, low and cheap, and not even reciprocated to what is expected. Due to the country's neoliberal policies, the entire workforce has only been given an option to stick to the available job without security or suffer from hunger. The sentiments of the so-called "sunshine industry" are still labeled as a good image for the employment status of the country, but even proper treatment among the sector of the industry is not really a priority and is abstracted in the minds of our leaderships. Skills are still being targeted for cheap labor, which the government does not even bother to promote its welfare and well-being.
BPO workers are calling for a standard entry-level wage of 31,000 per month to live together with their families. Nevertheless, this call is still pending and takes time for those in power to approve due to some arrangements with international investors. Inflation and the high prices of basic commodities are still part of the ongoing lives of every BPO worker, even those in the field of entertainment still challenge them on how to survive in everyday life. These are the common challenges and struggling situations of every LGBT worker in the BPO industry, leading to other related work and using their other skills just to provide financial subsidies to their loved ones and families. As a big share in the economic placement in this country, we are still bound by the demand for a better opportunity, and this government should ensure proper arrangements to secure jobs and living wages.
We are also calling on our leadership led by none other than President Marcos and his colleagues to stand for truth and justice among the workers and seek to halt the ongoing impunity and massive killings happening on the ground and hold all perpetrators accountable for their inhumane acts. The right to self-organization and securing every right of every BPO worker should be a priority and cannot be put in the road of injustices and maltreatment. This fight for our calls would not be the only way for us to see in the limelight of battle. Our call for genuine acceptance and freedom is to pave the way for true democracy that should be seen in reality. As the IDAHOT perspective says, “We need to diversify and unite.” This can only happen through genuine collective actions among LGBT individuals and people who have the same level of burden and aims of being free from oppression and discrimination.
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