At the Metropolitan Expo in Athens, Estarta’s HR Manager in Greece, Elina Tsiakou, represented the company on a high-profile panel discussion titled “Equality Is Not a Choice: Creating Opportunities for All,” organized by kariera.gr as part of Career Days. Speaking to job seekers, HR leaders, and industry professionals, Elina shared Estarta’s vision for creating workplaces where inclusion isn’t just a policy—it’s a value woven into everything we do.
On the meaning of equality in multicultural workplaces, Elina stressed:
“Equality in the workplace means exactly what it means in society, in our everyday lives, and in our neighborhoods. It means respecting the person next to us—our colleague—regardless of origin, nationality, religion, or what we broadly call ‘difference.’ Respecting diversity means respecting every personality, not by erasing uniqueness but by recognizing and even highlighting it. At Estarta, equality is not just a goal—it’s a core corporate value.”
She emphasized structured frameworks, manager training, and zero-tolerance policies as crucial for ensuring fair treatment across compensation, promotions, and opportunities.
Addressing digital illiteracy as an emerging equality challenge, Elina described it as more than a skills gap—it’s an inclusion gap:
“At Estarta, we see technology as a potential equalizer—but only when access and skills are broadly distributed. That’s why we’re launching a new Academy this October, offering affordable Cisco certifications designed to open doors for as many people as possible. We’re also running outreach programs for refugee and migrant children to teach basic computer skills and ensure structured digital onboarding for every employee from day one.”
She called on tech companies to invest in education and mentorship, design inclusive products, create pathways to employment, and leverage partnerships to bridge the digital divide—reminding attendees that, “Bridging this gap isn’t charity—it’s smart business and a moral imperative.”
Finally, on why equality matters to businesses, Elina was clear:
“Diverse and inclusive teams innovate faster, solve problems more creatively, and understand global markets better. When employees feel respected and valued, they’re more engaged and loyal—which directly drives performance. Our commitment to inclusion was internationally recognized when Estarta received the IFC Bronze Diversity Trailblazer Award. Awards like this aren’t the end goal—they signal to employees, partners, and clients that inclusion can be successfully embedded into business strategy.”
Her message to the Greek audience was simple but powerful: embedding equality and inclusion is not just a moral obligation—it’s a competitive advantage for companies that want to thrive in a multicultural, global economy.
