Discrimination case against Disneyland Paris should be dropped

Image
AFP Meaux
Last Updated : May 26 2016 | 1:22 AM IST
Discrimination charges against Euro Disney over job adverts that called only for "European" candidates should be dropped, prosecutors today said.
The trial was triggered by a complaint from anti-racism groups nine years ago over job adverts in the commuter paper 20 Minutes in 2006, looking for "cast members" but stipulating that they had to be "of European nationality".
The prosecutors said that it had not been established that the discriminatory infraction had been committed by the company or the person who designed the job ad.
In its defence Euro Disney, which runs the theme park east of the French capital, spoke of "human error" saying the advert was a one-off that had been badly worded.
Adverts for the same positions placed at job centres and on its official website did not use the same wording.
French activist group SOS Racisme claimed the adverts were discriminatory and made an official complaint in February 2007.
The trial at a courtroom in Meaux near Disneyland Paris, was due to be concluded on Wednesday but judgement was delayed until June 7.
A guilty verdict would carry a possible 225,000-euro (USD 250,000) fine, but prosecutors recommended to the judge that the charges be dropped.
Prosecutors had already called, in 2013, for the case to be dropped, but a group of former SOS Racisme campaigners appealed that decision.
"Do prosecutors serve the interests of discrimination victims of Euro Disney?" said Samuel Thomas, now with anti-discrimination group Maison des Potes, who made the initial complaint and appeal.
Euro Disney has a turnover of 1.3 billion euros and employs 15,000 people.
It says it has some 100 nationalities speaking 20 languages among its staff, and won a "Diversity Label" status from the government in 2008 in recognition of its efforts to build a mixed workforce.
With nearly 15 million visitors per year, Disneyland Paris is the most popular private tourist destination in Europe.
It is also the biggest private employer in the Paris region.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: May 26 2016 | 1:22 AM IST

Next Story