NLIS 8
June 8, 2001
(Justice)

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

The Human Rights Commission is pleased to have been advised that Fogo Island Co-operative Society will not be appealing the decision of adjudicator, Mary O'Brien, upholding the complaints of 33 women from Fogo Island alleging discrimination on the basis of martial status. The 33 women alleged they were discriminated against on the basis of marital status when they were denied employment with the co-op because their spouses either sold fish to other buyers or worked as shoremen on boats where the captains sold the catch to buyers other than the co-op. The women who had worked yearly with the co-op on a seasonal basis had an average of 14.6 years of seniority.

Gladys Vivian, executive director, of the commission and Jeff Cutler, articling clerk, will be travelling to Fogo Island on June 19 to meet with the 33 complainants to assess appropriate compensation in each case. The goal of human rights complaints is to restore the parties to the position they would have been in had the discrimination not occurred.

Ms. O'Brien orders that unless the parties reach a written agreement with respect to remedies, which agreement must be approved by the Board of Inquiry, the hearing shall convene to hear further evidence and submissions as may be necessary regarding remedies.

The Human Rights Commission is optimistic that the parties can resolve the dispute to the satisfaction of all parties. 

For further information contact
Gladys Vivian
Executive Director
Human Rights Commission
P. O. Box 8700
St. John's, Newfoundland
A1B 4J6
Phone: 729-2709
Toll Free: 1-800-563-5808 

2001 06 08                                    4:05 p.m.