Human Rights Commission: Somerset Roadshow
The Human Rights Commission [HRC] is putting on a series of ‘roadshows’ intended to educate the public and share information on how to deal with matters affecting Human Rights and real or perceived discrimination. About forty persons attended this first ‘roadshow’ held at St James Hall in Somerset yesterday [June 24]. Lisa Currin, Shade Subair, Carlton Crockwell represented the HRC and lawyer Leopold Mills acted as moderator.
Following a short overview presentation by Ms Currin, Executive director of the HRC, questions flowed and the panel sought to supply answers. Ms Currin’s HRC overview set out that a very simple explanation of discrimination was “treating someone less favourably (or more favourably) than the way others were generally treated.”
Shade Subair, pointed out that discrimination was allowed in specific circumstances such as a situation where a person with a criminal record, but who satisfied other criteria, could be refused employment if the nature of his or her past criminal behavior conflicted with the specific needs and requirements of the workplace and the employer. She explained further, that this would mean that a convicted and then incarcerated and now freed person could be refused employment in – for instance – a child care situation if he or she had been convicted of child molestation or a similar offence.
The overview reminded that complaints should normally be laid within six months of the incident having taken place; but that the HRC could still entertain complaints that were up to two years old. The overview also indicated that the HRC can initiate its own complaints if it finds reason to do so.
A questioner asked if it was unlawful and discriminatory to advertise for and specify a mature female to take the job of caregiver to a female senior. Shade Subair replied that the Act allowed for ‘bona fide’ specifications or requirements. The test would be whether or not the restrictions were bona fide.
Other questioners asked about matters to do with overtime pay, equal pay, and landlord and tenant relationships. Ms Subair re-directed these questioners to the Employment Act and the Landlord & Tenant Act; pointing out that the Human Rights Act covered the specifics of nationality, race, gender, political views, religious beliefs, etc….
This HRC roadshow will continue and the presentation will be repeated in the central and eastern parishes. Times will be announced later. The Human Rights Commission can be found on the third floor of the Mechanics Building on Church Street in Hamilton. It is directly across from the City Hall car park.
