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In addition to the changes that are due tom come into effect in October 2010 with the introduction of the Equality Act, the way has also been paved for ‘caste discrimination’ to become unlawful.
The National Institute of Economics and Social Research is to study the extent of caste discrimination in the UK, and are due to publish their findings in August.
Depending on the government’s response to this research, employers may need to start considering caste alongside other discrimination legislation.
Caste is determined at birth and is fixed and hereditary. Caste systems are traditionally associated with south Asia, but are also found in Africa and Japan and have spread across Hindhu, Sikh, Muslim and Christian communities.
Although there is some international recognition of caste discrimination, there are no specific laws addressing it in the UK, unless it falls within the remit of our existing race or religious discrimination legislation.
When the government initially published its response to the equality bill consultation in July 2008, it said that it would not extend protection to include caste as there was no evidence that it occurred in the UK. However, a number of organisations believe that Asian migration has imported the caste system into the UK, and that it must therefore be considered.
Employers should watch this space to see is caste discrimination will work its way into the Equality Act, that is due to come into force in October and if it does, consider its possible impact on their business.
