Cruise line firings called unfair
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed suit against Miami-based NCL America Inc. alleging the cruise line fired at least seven employees on the basis of their national origin or religion.
The complaint filed yesterday in U.S. District Court alleges that NCL has engaged in illegal employment practices since July 2004 by discharging Abdullah Yahva, Ahmed Al-Mlhany, Ahmed Almraisi, Nagi A. Alziam, Muthana A. Shaibi, Nork Yafaie, Samed Kassam and others because they are Yemeni, Middle Eastern or Muslim. The civil rights violations allegedly occurred on Maui or in the state of Hawaii.
The plaintiffs are asking that the federal court order that NCL stop its unlawful practices and award them relief -- not limited to reinstatement, back pay and benefits with interest.
NCL officials in Miami could not be reached for immediate comment.
In June, NCL launched its third and most expensive cruise liner, the 2,400-passenger Pride of Hawaii, as part of an ambitious plan to turn Hawaii into one of the world's top cruise destinations.
The plaintiffs first filed complaints alleging civil rights violations with the EEOC, which determined that they had been discriminated against and gave them the go-ahead to file suit.