Manila Water includes LGBTQI+, common-law partners as company insurance dependents

East Zone concessionaire Manila Water Company Inc. on Tuesday said it will now include common-law and LGBTQI+ partners of its employees as dependents in the company’s group life insurance policy effective January 1, 2023.

The move is part of the water distributor’s commitment towards inclusivity, gender equality, and employee benefit accessibility, Manila Water said in a statement.

The policy covers regular, probationary, and project-based employees, it said.

"We are very glad to announce that Manila Water is offering this expanded insurance policy to our employees, especially to the members of the LGBTQI+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex) community,” said Manila Water Corporate Human Resources Group Director Janine Carreon.

“This is part of our strategy to be a more inclusive workplace... We want to embrace our differences and make Manila Water a place that champions diversity and sustainable development goals,” said Carreon.

Manila Water said it has long been committed to advocating gender equality, with a majority of empowered women in leadership and technical roles.

This breakthrough employee benefits policy is a huge push in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusivity across the Manila Water enterprise, it said. — DVM, GMA Integrated News