Unions Call For Discrim Protections

Date: 11 October 2002

The NSW Labor Council today called for changes to the Anti-Discrimination Act to ensure that religion becomes a ground for unlawful discrimination.

The Labor Council has called on the NSW Government to amend the Act so that workers like Kamal El-Masiri have the right to pray at work.

Mr El-Masiri, a Muslim, has been threatened with dismissal from telecommunications company TPG over his commitment to praying, in his own time, at work.

"Most people would assume that such discrimination is unlawful but the reality is that anti-discrimination laws in NSW do not cover religions that span several ethnic groups, such as Islam or Christianity," Mr Robertson said.

"It is outrageous that workers should be forced to choose between their jobs and their religions.

"In Mr El-Masiri's case, there is no evidence that his beliefs were infringing on his work - indeed he was making up the ten minutes in his own time."

Mr Robertson said it was also disappointing that the Australian Services Union, who acted on Mr El Masiri's behalf, had been the victim of hate calls today.

"Trade unions are a leading voice in celebrating cultural diversity, we will continue to do so and do not believe our staff should be subjected to such bigoted behaviour."

For further information

Contact:	Peter Lewis
Union:	Labor Council of NSW
Contact Mobile:	0413 873 285

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