Tolerance crucial as NZ changes
Over the past 20 years, New Zealand has become a very cosmopolitan country, with people from many religions, cultures, and countries now making up our population.
Most New Zealanders respect different religions and cultures and embrace the challenge of accommodating different beliefs and ways of doing things. Unfortunately this is not always the case, here or overseas.
A Swedish Muslim woman went to the Labour Court in Sweden after a job interview for a translator position went wrong. When the interviewer went to shake hands with 24-year-old Farah Alhajeh, she smiled, placed her hand on her heart, and explained that she had a religious objection to physical contact. The interviewer swiftly showed her to the lift and sent her on her way.
The potential employer, Semantix, said it was a defender of gender equality and couldn’t hire someone who reacted differently to men and women when they offered a handshake in greeting.
However, Alhajeh said she did not shake hands with anybody, male or female.
Alhajeh won her case and received the equivalent of about NZ$6500 in compensation.
The court said her refusal to shake hands was a religious manifestation that was protected under the European Convention on Human Rights.
In 2013, British Airways worker Nadia Eweida, a Coptic Christian from Twickenham, won a case before the European Court of Human Rights after being sent home for wearing a silver cross on her necklace.
As the many cultures throughout the world mix more and more, some people do not rise to the occasion.
The treatment of Satnam Singh is a New Zealand example.
Singh came here from India to study English. He was struggling to pay rent and applied for a job with Scorpion Liquor in Auckland. He was offered a job by the manager, Shane Singh, who was a Fijian Indian, but no relation. Satnam Singh believed he could trust Shane Singh because of his link with India.
But there was no written employment agreement and Satnam was paid intermittently, and then only $6 to $7 an hour.
Satnam, a Sikh, was repeatedly sworn at and insulted. His employer ridiculed his religion. In response, he trimmed his hair and beard and wore a hat over his turban.
One evening Shane hit him on the head with a clipboard, knocking off Satnam’s cap and the small turban underneath.
He punched him in the head. When Satnam told Shane he was leaving and wanted his pay, Shane was abusive.
When Satnam said he would be back for his pay Shane put up his fists and said: ‘‘If I see you again you will lose your turban and your teeth.’’
Satnam was deeply distressed. His parents felt he had shamed them by trimming his hair. His father said Satnam should never come home and that he was dead to them.
This case illustrates the terrible suffering a person can be subjected to when there is an imbalance of power between an employer and a vulnerable worker.
A labour inspector took a wages claim on Satnam’s behalf to the Employment Relations Authority. Satnam received wage arrears and a modest penalty.
Satnam took a separate case before the Human Rights Review Tribunal for racial harassment in his employment and attacks on symbols of his religion.
The tribunal ordered both Shane Singh and Scorpion Liquor to implement a training programme on human rights and their obligations. Satnam received $45,000 in damages.
There may be a difference of opinion over whether a person should be able to wear, say, a crucifix on top of their airline uniform. However, no decent person would support the treatment of this young Indian student in Auckland.
Tolerance, respect and understanding are essential as New Zealand becomes more diverse.