EEOC Settles Case Involving Discharge of Seven Middle Eastern Crew Members from a Leading Cruise Line

Source: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

HONOLULU – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced the settlement of a federal lawsuit against a leading cruise line corporation for $485,000 to seven former employees and remedial relief.

In its lawsuit, filed in 2006 under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the EEOC alleged that the company discharged seven Middle Eastern crew members from various positions on the cruise ship. The company denied that it had acted improperly against these crew members in agreeing to resolve the lawsuit.

“We are very pleased with this outcome, and the company should be applauded for its commitment to prevent discrimination by agreeing to the comprehensive injunctive relief in this case,” said Anna Y. Park, regional attorney for the EEOC’s Los Angeles District Office, which includes Hawaii.

Los Angeles District Director Olophius Perry added, “We encourage all employers to utilize EEOC’s resources to ensure proper EEO training and compliance.”

As part of the two year consent decree resolving the case, the company agrees to pay the crew members $485,000. With respect to the injunctive relief, the company further agrees, among other things, to revise its policies to ensure a workplace that promotes equal employment opportunity, to hire an EEO consultant, and to provide training to its managers and employees on the company’s equal employment policy and complaint procedure.

The litigation and consent decree were filed by the EEOC in the U.S. Court for the District of Hawaii.

The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Further information about the EEOC is available on the agency’s web site at www.eeoc.gov.

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