Race discrimination complaints increase

ONE-IN-THREE allegations of unfair treatment at work so far this year have been racial discrimination claims, according to the Equality Tribunal.

Race claims accounted for 21% of all job discrimination complaints last year, and 17% in 2004.

Equality Tribunal director Melanie Pine revealed the figures as she announced job discrimination complaints can now be made online.

The total number of claims of unfair treatment made to the Equality Tribunal last year rose by 31%.

Cases increased from 483 in 2004 to 631 in 2005, involving more than 1,600people.

The main grounds for employment claims last year were gender (22%) and race (21%). In equal status claims, the main grounds were disability (20%) and age (17%).

“For the first time, claims of discrimination in pensions were referred on the age and marital status grounds,” Ms Pine said.

“This has been made possible by the Pensions Act 2004 which extended protection beyond gender to all nine of the discriminatory grounds.”

The number of complaints upheld fell last year.

Three out of four allegations of discrimination at work were unsuccessful last year.

People who feel they have experienced discrimination at work can now submit a complaint to the Equality Tribunal online at www.equalitytribunal.ie