The Ministry of Labor enables the registration of the equality plan on the SUT platform until July 31.
As part of the equality plan, on June 20, 2024, the Ecuadorian government officially launched the Sello Violeta program in accordance with Ministerial Agreement MPCEIP-MDT-2024-00-AI, signed by the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment and Fisheries, which seeks to strengthen the economic, productive and industrial sector from a gender perspective.
Object of the violet seal
This initiative has its origin in the Violet Economy Law and seeks to promote diversity, equity and gender inclusion in public and private companies. It also urges institutions to implement protocols to prevent, eradicate and punish harassment and any form of violence in the workplace. The violet seal is consolidated as a badge or recognition for workplaces that promote gender inclusion and equal treatment and opportunities.
To obtain this distinction, the Ministry of Labor will take into account actions and indicators that demonstrate the employer’s commitment to the creation of a fair and equitable workplace, such as criteria for the elimination of wage gaps, violence, harassment and discrimination, and others that promote promotions, maternity leave and breastfeeding.
The ministerial agreement sets out nine guidelines that companies must comply with on a mandatory basis:
- Gender-sensitive personnel selection and recruitment.
- Fair and equitable remuneration and salaries.
- Professional development promotions.
- Balanced presence of women and men in management bodies and in the different professional groups and categories of the company.
- Training and learning opportunities
- Policies for the prevention of discrimination, labor and sexual harassment in the workplace.
- Inclusive communication and language
- Implementation of procedures for reporting and investigating cases of workplace harassment, sexual harassment and violence against women.
- Inclusive work environment.
Process for obtaining the Violet Seal
Companies interested in obtaining the distinction must submit a formal application with documentation certifying compliance with the criteria mentioned above, through the SUT, the Ministry of Labor's web platform. Subsequently, the control entities will verify the information and may even visit the work sites to ensure compliance with the established standards. If the company meets all the requirements, it will be awarded the Violet Seal for one year.
Benefits after obtaining the Violet Seal
The ministries that signed the agreement, in order to encourage the business sector to comply with the law, the regulations and its protocols, have proposed certain benefits for public or private companies that obtain the Violet Seal, divided as follows:
Ministry of Labor:
- There will be no ex officio inspections during the year in which the purple seal is in effect.
- Companies that have obtained this distinction may use it in their products and publications.
- Free dissemination on the institutional website.
- Recognition and public mention in national and international events.
- Priority to participate in promotional events, business rounds, trade fairs and training.
- Participation in the Ecuadorian One-Stop Shop and other digital channels for the promotion of products and services.
- Percentage exemptions from fees for the services of the ministry and its sub-secretariats and priority in the registration of import and export licenses.
