March 23, 2000
(Justice)

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

The Human Rights Commission reports that a board of inquiry will commence on Tuesday, March 28, into 33 complaints filed with the commission against Fogo Island Co-operative Society Ltd.

Complaints were filed with the commission by 33 women from Fogo Island in May 1999 alleging discrimination in employment on the basis of marital status. In their complaints to the commission, the women noted that they were members of the Fogo Island Co-operative Society Ltd. and had worked with the society on a seasonal basis for several years. The complainants stated that they had been refused employment in the spring of 1999 because their husbands did not sign agreements committing to sell their fish to the co-operative society. Some of the complainants were recalled to work after their husbands signed such agreement. The complaints could not be resolved during the investigation, and the Human Rights Commission ordered the appointment of a board of inquiry.

The adjudicator for the board of inquiry is chief adjudicator Mary O�Brien of St. John�s. Barry Fleming will present the complaints to the board on behalf of the Human Rights Commission. The hearing, which is open to the public, is scheduled to commence at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 28, at the Town Hall in Seldom.

For further information contact:

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

2000 03 23                              9:45 a.m.