Complaints by Travellers account for 80 per cent of cases submitted to the Director of Equality Investigations.
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In excess of 1,000 official complaints of discrimination are expected this year according to the Agency’s annual report launched today.
The report says nearly half of all complaints of discrimination in the workplace - including equal pay, harassment and selection procedures - are on the grounds of gender.
"This year has seen a virtual explosion in the people referring complaints to my Office," Director of Equality Investigations, Ms Melanie Pine, said. "We are now receiving over 100 complaints and month and we expect this pace to continue."
The Agency was set up two years ago to investigate and rule on claims of discrimination and provide mediation services.
It deals with complaints of discrimination in relation to to gender, religion, marital and family status, age status, disability, sexual orientation, race and membership of the Traveller community.