FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2021 at 8am ET
Press contact: press@alphabetworkersunion.org
Alphabet Workers Union stands in support of the historic lawsuit filed by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing against Cisco for caste-based discrimination. This lawsuit marks the first time in U.S. history that any institution is being held accountable for caste-based discrimination.
Caste-oppressed workers face many barriers throughout the tech industry, including at Alphabet. Caste is a system of oppression analogous to racial discrimination and is rampant throughout many American institutions. We support tech workers around the world who are speaking up about casteism and hostile workplaces.
Alphabet’s anti-discrimination policy in India already explicitly prohibits caste-based discrimination, but that policy doesn’t apply in the US. The US Equal Opportunity Employment statement in Alphabet’s code of conduct doesn’t list caste as a protected class. Alphabet can lead the industry and become the first technology company to add caste as a protected category globally.
Sundar Pichai made a commitment to addressing racial equity. Alphabet must commit to caste equity with the same urgency. Recognizing and addressing caste-based discrimination will benefit Alphabet, its workers, and its users worldwide.
Caste-oppressed workers have the right to a safe workplace and this is why we have committed to this fight. The fight for the civil rights of caste-oppressed people is a workers’ fight. Caste should be recognized as a protected class by the federal government and be included in anti-harassment policies within our industry.