New York, February 9, 2026(Yes Punjab News)
On February 6, UNITED SIKHS held a pivotal discussion with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to confront urgent issues of workplace discrimination affecting the Sikh community and immigrant workers across the nation.
The conversation underscored the growing challenges Sikhs face in securing religious accommodations, particularly around the Sikh sacred article of faith Kirpan, and highlighted the disproportionate impact of commercial driver’s license cancellations on Sikh truckers with valid work authorization.
During the call, UNITED SIKHS emphasized ongoing cases against major employers, including an international forwarding company and a subcontractor at the JFK Airport, where Sikh employees have been terminated for carrying the Kirpan despite EEOC guidance affirming that employers must provide reasonable accommodation.
The organization also raised concerns about the cancellation of over 200,000 CDLs nationwide, including 17,000 in California, which has left thousands of Sikh truckers unable to work despite their legal right to employment. EEOC representatives acknowledged these challenges and offered collaboration through community education, outreach, and resource sharing.
As part of this collaboration, EEOC has agreed to provide comprehensive presentations on workplace rights, tailored to emphasize religious accommodations, while also covering broader protections against discrimination based on color, race, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, and retaliation.
UNITED SIKHS has invited EEOC to participate in its annual Sikh Summit this July, where advocates, students, and policymakers will convene to address systemic discrimination and advance civil rights.
UNITED SIKHS urges community members experiencing workplace discrimination to reach out through the helpline for support.
By working closely with state, local and federal agencies and grassroots community leaders, UNITED SIKHS continues to champion civil rights, defend religious freedom, and empower workers across the United States.
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