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UPDATE: New York, New York - On Friday, August 3, Majid Borumand filed in federal court in New York a request for permission to join the lawsuit brought by U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on his behalf against Merrill Lynch. Press release concerning Borumand’s lawsuit can be found here.
New York, New York - On June 26, 2007, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sued Merrill Lynch & Co. over its treatment of an Iranian employee.
In a lawsuit filed in federal court in Manhattan, the EEOC alleged that the investment bank discriminated against Majid Borumand by failing to promote him and terminating him because of his national origin (Iranian) and religion (Muslim).
The complaint alleges that Borumand, while employed at Merrill Lynch, was subjected to a number of remarks that reflected animosity toward his national origin and religion including, but not limited to, being told that "the reason you aren't allowed on the trading floor is because you are from a country which is a high risk factor and a threat."
Borumand joined Merrill Lynch in 2002. He holds a master’s degree in mathematical finance and a PhD in theoretical physics.
Mark Herr, spokesman for Merrill Lynch, denies that the company discriminated against Borumand. "We respectfully--but strongly--disagree with the EEOC and deny Mr. Borumand's allegations."
The EEOC is an agency of the federal government charged with the administration, interpretation, and enforcement of civil rights laws pertaining to employment discrimination. Signed into law by President John F. Kennedy with Executive order 10925, it can bring suit on behalf of alleged victims of discrimination against private employers. It also serves as an adjudicatory body for claims of discrimination brought against federal agencies.
The EEOC has partnered with the Iranian American Know Your Rights Campaign to inform Iranian Americans about different types of discrimination and available resources to prevent such inequities. “The EEOC, while a government agency, is here to protect. Our biggest difficulty is that immigrant communities either do not know about us or are too afraid to approach a government agency for help,” says Ms. Joan Ehrlich, EEOC San Francisco District Director.
Spearheaded by the National Legal Sanctuary for Community Advancement (NLSCA), the Know Your Rights Campaign comprises a coalition of national organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Amnesty International USA, the Iranian American Bar Association (IABA), and IAPAC. Through press briefings and town hall meetings, the coalition partners strive to educate Iranian Americans about their civil rights and liberties as well as to educate all Americans about the Iranian American community.
Click here to read the text of the lawsuit.
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Paid for by the Iranian American Political Action Committee (IAPAC). This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. Contributions are not tax-deductible as charitable deductions for federal tax purposes.
IAPAC is a registered bipartisan political action committee that contributes to candidates for public office who are attuned to the domestic needs of the Iranian American community. IAPAC focuses exclusively on domestic policy issues such as civil rights and civil liberties, and encourages Iranian Americans to actively participate in the electoral process, to vote and run for political office.
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