The following is being distributed at the request of the Human Rights Commission:

The Human Rights Commission held its regular meetings in St. John's on February 13 and 14.

At that time, 12 cases were reviewed by the commissioners. Of these, eight were dismissed, one was withdrawn, one had settlement approved,and two were referred to the chief adjudicator for the appointment of a Board of Inquiry.

One of the cases referred for a Board of Inquiry involved a nurse who alleged she was discriminated against by a hospital in seeking employment because of a perceived physical disability. The other involved four female jailers who allege the Department of Justice refuses to pay them wages comparable to men who are performing the same or similar work in a different classification.

The commission granted approval to Women Interested in Successful Employment (WISE) for continuation of programs especially designed to assist women in the workforce. It also spent time analysing the presentations made by several community groups and individuals last December recommending changes to the Human Rights Code. The commission hopes to make a presentation to the Minister of Environment and Labour on this matter later this year.

Contact:

• Gladys Vivian
  Executive Director
  Human Rights Commission
  P. O. Box 8700
  St. John's, Newfoundland
  A1B 4J6
  Phone: (709) 729-2709 or (709) 729-5812
  Toll Free: 1-800-563-5808