Argentina establishes 1% quota for trans workers in civil service jobs

One percent of state jobs must be reserved for transgender people, according to a decree published yesterday in the Official Gazette.

"Every transvestite, transsexual or transgender person has the right to decent and productive employment in equal and satisfactory working conditions and protected against unemployment without discrimination for motives of gender identity or its expression," reads the text of the decree, which outlines that government officials must be trained in recognising discriminatory behaviour.

"It is established that, in the national public sector, personnel positions must be occupied by a proportion of not less than one percent of all of them by transvestites, transsexuals and transgender people who meet the conditions of suitability for the position", according to the text.

Apart from suffering discrimination and stigmatisation, members of the trans community has an average life expectancy of 36 years, according to studies.

Studies by the Asociación de Travestis, Transexuales y Transgéneros de Argentina (ATTTA) also reveal that 90 percent of their community is outside the formal job market while almost 95 percent "find themselves in situations of prostitution on the extreme fringes of society." Some 60 percent were unable to finish their schooling.

The measure was presented as a "positive action to begin the reparation of the indignities committed historically."

The decree establishes a voluntary registry for job applicants who must show that they are "suitable." This registry certifying the job skills of the applicants will be placed at the disposal of state agencies to fill their vacancies.

Esteban Paulón, executive director of the LGBT Public Policy Institute NGO, said that "access to registered employment is one of the essential strategies that allows for the full inclusion of transgender women and men and guarantees better living conditions."

Paulón added, however, that the State has "many debts with the trans community," saying that many members of the trans community did not have access to comprehensive healthcare, as outlined in Argeentina's 2012 gender identity law. 

Argentina is something of a pioneer for human rights, legislating in favour of sexual diversity with its gay marriage law of 2010 and a gender identity law a year later.

– TIMES/AFP