EQUAL employment opportunity (EEO)
is the assurance that all employment-related actions are based on objective,
non-discriminatory criteria. State and federal laws and regulations prohibit
employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national
origin, citizenship, sex, age, disability, etc. Equal employment opportunity
prohibits discrimination against anyone on any pretext. The EEO speaks of the
equality of every human being while considering a candidate before, during and
after employment. The EEO anti-discrimination protections apply to all of the
terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment and
selection, promotions, testing, training and development opportunities, hiring,
transfers, work assignments, discipline, compensation, discharge, performance
evaluation, working environment and other conditions of service. Affirmative
action is an effort to undo the unfair practices of the past in various
organizations. It is a means to level the playing field for women, individuals
with disabilities, underprivileged classes and minorities as a logical step
towards equal employment.
Pakistan’s law makes it obligatory for employers to follow EEO principles.
Affirmative action, however, is expected to be implemented as a voluntary
component of the EEO policy. The EEO does not, in any circumstance, mean that
the managers should hire unqualified candidates in breach of merit. This is only
a mechanism to avoid unfair practices and biases during employment process. In
Pakistan there are many cases which show that women are discouraged from
working. It is not considered good for them to go outside and work. Many
employers hesitate to hire women. In Pakistan, for every 100 men in the labour
force, only about 21 women are economically active.
Pakistan’s Constitution puts a ban on discrimination on the basis of sex in
appointment in “the service in Pakistan”, provided the performance and functions
of the job can be carried out by, and is deemed suitable for, both sexes. The
federal government introduced a new labour policy in 2002 empowering labour
courts to order reinstatement of illegally dismissed workers or award reasonable
compensation in lieu of reinstatement.The federal and provincial governments
have also made legislation about the provision of two per cent quota for special
(disabled) people in the employment in all departments.
It is my hope that people understand their rights and seek legal redressal when
they are faced with discrimination. It is only then that the system against
discrimination will actually start to work.