By Kazi Gautam
Syracuse, NY, Sept 16: A Bhutanese refugee resettled in New York in USA has disclosed that a local textile company in Syracuse has told him to change his attire and wipe tika from the forehead in order to get a job.
Chandra Kanta Pokharel, 34, a refugee from Bhutan being resettled here in Syracuse had to face serious discrimination on his traditional practices.
The incident occurred few days back when he faced an interview at Coyne Textile Services (CTS), a local textile company in Syracuse.
“Every thing went smoothly until Merci Magari, the interviewer picked on me about my religious practices”, said Pokhrel, adding- “In order to be suitable for the position, I was told to change my attire and wipe Tika, a red pigment worn on my forehead.”
He further said that he was really upset to hear about such mal practices going on in the country where people around the globe come thinking that they will be allowed to exercise their right to religion.
Talking to BNS, Mary Kane, job developer at the Refugee Assistance Program (RAP) run by Syracuse City School District showed “surprise” about the incident.
“In fact, I was there as I took Chandra for the interview at CTS. I was taken aback by the interviewer’s approach which I immediately protested”, said Mary, adding that she has never heard of such incident.
“Although the companies have their own policies, there are also laws in our country that protect people. There should not be any discrimination on the basis of one’s religion,” added Mary.
Hari Bangaley, one of the case managers at the Catholic Charities that resettles the refugees from around the world seems very hostile to the act of the interviewer.
“I strongly condemn it as I don’t see any reason why employers come up with such inappropriate questions which do not have any relation with the kind of work people are supposed to perform,” said Bangaley, adding that the lady at the company should clarify her stance.
Despite several attempts, the interviewer could not be immediately available for comments.
There are over 700 Bhutanese refugees being resettled in Syracuse, among whom only half of the population have been employed so far.
Interfaith Works, another refugee resettlement agency operating in Syracuse, Catholic Charities and RAP assist refugees seek employment.
Pokharel, a Hindu priest while in camp, arrived in USA under resettlement on March 24, 2009. According to Hindu religion, putting tika on forehead is one of the traditional practices. A vast majority of Nepali-origin refugees from Bhutan practice this trend since years.
UNHCR and International Organisation for Migration often assure refugees of having their right to religion safeguarded in USA before they board the flights from temporary camps in Nepal.
This is the first time that a resettled refugee has complained of attempts for encroachment on right to religion.
