Converge ICT Solutions Inc. (PSE: CNVRG) cements its commitment to Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) as it celebrates Pride month this June with a series of activities for employees and forging a partnership with Metro Manila Pride (MMPride) to become the official connectivity partner for the Metro Manila Pride March and Festival this Saturday.
Converge officially kicked off the celebration with a logo change in its social media assets to one basked in rainbow colors to signify its stand to create a dignified, secure, and welcoming environment for customers and employees who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“Diversity of thought and backgrounds is key to bringing about progress in an organization. This is why Converge strives to be as inclusive as possible in acquiring talent. We believe that by enabling our people to be their authentic selves in the workplace, we are contributing to overall morale and productivity, as well as company sustainability,” shared Mr. Benjamin B. Azada, Converge Chief Strategy Officer.
Diversity and inclusion are strategic imperatives of Converge and forms an integral part of the company’s sustainability commitment. Through the diversity of thought and backgrounds, the company is able to bring new ideas to the table, challenge the status quo and create more value for customers. While an inclusive workplace culture allows the company to attract and retain talent.
Employees and management also expressed their support for the LGBTQIA+ community and the advocacy through a Commitment Wall placed at the Pasig headquarters.
“In Converge, we believe in equal opportunity. We hire and retain people based on their qualifications, no matter their gender identity and orientation. To us, competence matters most and we’re glad to have built a roster of capable and talented workforce, a part of which belongs to the LGBTQIA+ community. We celebrate their cause and we thank them for their contribution to the company. This is also in observance of the UN Global Compact’s principle of upholding the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation,” said Albert B. Custodio, Senior VP and Head of Human Resources.
As the connectivity partner of MMPride for the Metro Manila Pride March and Festival 2022, Converge will provide the facilities to allow the live-streaming of the day’s activities to a wider audience.
MMPride is a volunteer-managed, non-partisan organization whose mission is to educate, equip, and empower the LGBTQIA+ Filipino and their communities to work towards a future that recognizes and respects the rights of LGBTQIA+ persons to a dignified life without discrimination and prejudice.
Following the event, to further strengthen the advocacy, a Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression (SOGIE) Masterclass for employees will be conducted through the Metro Manila Pride organization, as well as education webinars to further instill D&I principles.