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Six firms face CURE reporting violations

The names of six companies have been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for violating reporting requirements of the Commission for Unity and Racial Equality (CURE).

Human Affairs director Kenneth Dill told The Royal Gazette his department was pleased with this year's response to the annual survey.

Companies with ten or more employees are required by law to fill in the forms and provide details on the racial makeup of their workforce. Mr. Dill said that the six still hadn't complied with the requirements even after repeated warnings and reminders that they had missed the October 13 deadline.

"They have had ample warning and today (Monday) their names will be forwarded to the Department of Public Prosecutions with the recommendation they be prosecuted," he said.

Last year's CURE survey - the Island's first - also had six companies failing to comply. Five pleaded guilty and were fined about $500 each. One company, Precision Construction Ltd, pleaded not guilty and will be tried early next year.

This year, there were no repeat offenders, Mr. Dill revealed.

CURE also reports that "a number" of companies that were found to have racially skewed demographics during last year's survey, have already indicated that this year's figures will show an improvement.

Eighty companies - those performing well as well as those performing poorly in the racial equity stakes - were selected for follow-up meetings with CURE after the survey came out last year.

Meanwhile CURE is set to announce a new executive officer to replace Sharol Simmons who resigned from the position earlier this year after six years in the post.

Mr. Dill would not reveal who the new director is but The Royal Gazette understands that David Northcott, a Bermudian, has been chosen for the $85,000 a year job.