The Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) joins United Nations (UN) members to commemorate World Day of Social Justice. This year’s theme is “Achieving Social Justice through Formal Employment.” The day is observed on February 20 annually, starting from 2008.

To read more visit: https://newsday.co.tt/2022/02/21/achieving-social-justice

The Equal Opportunity Commission features a guest column by one of our commissioners, Dr Krystal-Jane Verasammy, who is also a counselling psychologist. The Equal Opportunity Act covers employment as a category under which a person can lodge a complaint, if they have been discriminated based on their sex, race, ethnicity, origin including geographical origin, marital status, disability or religion. We take a moment in commemoration of Stress Awareness Month to address workplace stress.

To read more visit: https://newsday.co.tt/2022/04/11/dealing-with-workplace-stress/

On the first Tuesday of every month, the EOC, in partnership with TTT will bring together a panel of advocates to drum up conversations and offer solutions for sex and gender-related issues. It is a six (6)-part series, that will be broadcasted live from TTT’s studio. You can also catch the one-hour episodes on TTT or EOCTT Facebook pages. Dike Rostant is the host of the series.

Persons living with HIV and Aids (PLWHA) who face discrimination in certain settings because they are infected with HIV or Aids can lodge a complaint and get relief at the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC).

To read more visit: https://newsday.co.tt/2022/04/04/plwha-can-seek-relief-at-eoc

Young people on the autism spectrum may experience barriers to receiving a quality education. These barriers may include discrimination and prejudice, bullying, limited teacher training and teacher preparation, limited human and material resources and limited administrative support.

This is exacerbated by the covid19 pandemic. According to the UN, “many students with autism have been especially hard hit and studies show that they have been disproportionately affected by disruptions to routines, as well as services and supports that they rely on.”

To read more visit: https://newsday.co.tt/2022/03/28/quality-education-for-all/

In August 2017, the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, His Excellency Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona SCORTT, reconstituted the Equal Opportunity Commission (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Commission’) for another three (03) year term.

In accordance with section 7, 8 and 9 of the Freedom of Information Act 1999 (FOIA) the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) is required by law to publish this statement, which lists the documents and information generally available to the public from the EOC

As the leading state advocate on equality, the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) joins United Nations members to magnify the voices of those who experience racism, whose opportunities are limited and who struggle to enjoy basic human rights.

Data at the commission shows that complaints filed based on the status grounds of race and ethnicity are the most lodged complaints that we receive at our offices. In Trinidad and Tobago and in the world, racism exists in undertones and overtones. The keyword, if you would allow us to play on that word, is tone, relating to our voices.

To read more visit: https://newsday.co.tt/2022/03/21/magnifying-voices-against-racism/

The most lodged complaints that the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) receives at its offices are under the category of employment. This has consistently been the trend since the inception of the EOC; sometimes outweighing all other categories combined. However, the Equal Opportunity Act covers four broad categories: provision of goods and services, provision of accommodation, employment and education. It is important to understand the categories contained in the act so that members of the public can access the full range of coverage.

 To read more visit: https://newsday.co.tt/2022/03/14/categories-covered-by-the-act/

Data at the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) shows that since its inception, the most complaints that are lodged at our offices are by women in the category of employment. This is supported by data from International Women’s Day Global, where almost 60 per cent of women experience bias at work. Whether it is deliberate or unintentional, biases make it harder for women to get hired or promoted in certain fields.

To read more visit: https://newsday.co.tt/2022/03/07/break-the-bias-against-women/

Zero Discrimination Day (ZDD) is a global movement that focuses on raising awareness and taking action to ensure that everyone can live a life of dignity and have access to opportunities by ending all forms of discrimination and promoting inclusion. UNAIDS launched the first ZDD in 2014 and it has been observed March 1 every year since.

In our last article, we addressed the topic of reasonable accommodation and looked at key concepts within its definition. Today we will delve further into submitting requests for accommodation and how an employer should handle each employee’s request.

To read more visit: https://newsday.co.tt/2022/02/14/requesting-reasonable-workplace-accommodation

Trinidad and Tobago signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) on September 27, 2007 and it was further ratified into domestic law on June 25, 2015. Even before this convention was ratified, the Equal Opportunity Act (EOA) Chap 22:03 placed a duty on employers to make reasonable adjustments for their staff to assist them in overcoming disadvantages resulting from any impairment.

To read more visit: https://newsday.co.tt/2022/02/07/what-is-reasonable-accommodation

The Equal Opportunity Commis­sion was recently invited by the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Commerce to present on vaccine discrimination at a webinar for its members. Mr. Haran Ramkaransingh, Legal Director at the Commis­sion joined the esteemed panel on the topic.

The Equal Opportunity Act is often described as a progressive piece of legislation. While the act is still somewhat limited in protecting the full spectrum of human rights, it is a ground-breaking piece of legislation that partially fills a critical gap, one which the Equal Opportunity Commission hopes would one day be closed.

To read more visit: https://newsday.co.tt/2022/01/31/seeking-redress-underequal-opportunity-act/