America’s EEOC Sues Norwegian Cruise Line for Racial Descrimination

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed suit against Norwegian Cruise Line for racial discrimination against employees of Muslim religion and Middle Eastern descent in a Honolulu federal court.

The EEOC is representing seven or more employees who worked for NCL America on its Hawaii vessel the Pride of Aloha in 2004 and were allegedly discharged because of their religion and national origin.

NCL denied the allegations and released a statement saying, “We are proud of our employment practices and record and do not discriminate in hiring. Our employees come from a very broad range of ethnic and religious backgrounds, which provides a wonderful diversity among our staff.”

According to the complaint filed at the U.S. District court for Hawaii the suit requests that NCL be ordered to pay the employees back pay and benefits with interest, and losses as a result of emotional pain and suffering, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment of life and humiliation.

The employees are being represented by Anna Park, an attorney at the EEOC’s Los Angeles District office.