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Harassment case:
Stockton Steel to pay $1.1 million to
Pakistani-American workers

AMP Report

Stockton Steel on April 19, 2004 agreed to pay $ 1.11 million to four Pakistani-American former employees who were repeatedly harassed at the plant due to their national origin and Muslim religion.

The settlement was announced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) which had filed a lawsuit in January 2000 against Stockton Steel charging that Pakistani-American employees were repeatedly harassed due to their national origin and Muslim religion, at steel plant.

The Pakistani workers alleged harassment that included being ridiculed during their daily prayers and derogatory name-calling such as "camel jockey" and "raghead".

Under the terms of the consent decree signed by U.S. District Judge Morrison C. England, Jr., Stockton Steel denies all charges but has agreed to resolve the lawsuit (EEOC v. The Herrick Corporation, d/b/a Stockton Steel, CIV S 00-0102 MCE DAD). The company will pay monetary damages totaling $1,110,000 to four former employees. The company has also agreed to make policy changes, conduct training to prevent future discrimination, and to implement a policy guaranteeing an employee's right to request an accommodation for religious needs.

Through an interpreter, former machine operator Abdul Rehman stated, "I felt that we were humiliated and given the worst assignments simply because of where we were born and our religious beliefs. But we are Americans, and with the assistance of the EEOC, I have found that the American laws [against discrimination] protect us too."

EEOC Regional Attorney William R. Tamayo stated, "This is a fair settlement that allows the former employees to move on with their lives and ensures current and future employees a work environment free of harassment and accommodating of sincere religious beliefs."

He noted, "Religion and national origin are two of the fastest growing types of discrimination filed with EEOC nationwide. In 2002, charges alleging religious bias increased 21% over the previous year, and national origin discrimination complaints increased by13%. We urge employers to take prompt and corrective action to prevent such discrimination."

To file a complaint, contact the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission at (202) 663-4900 and Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) at 202-488-8787 ext. 6032.