Another seven employers granted Ethnic Friendly certificate

Prague, Oct 17 (CTK) - Seven more employers in the Czech Republic were handed yesterday the Ethnic Friendly brand that the IQ Roma servis association for equal attitude to workers and without prejudices has been granting since 2007.

The certificate is already held by 56 firms and institutions.

The new winners are the Teaching Hospital in Brno, Strabag and ALOP firms, two elementary schools in Prague, the Volnocasova (Leisure Time) public benefit society adn J+J school canteens.

"The purpose of granting the brand is to appreciate those who through their personnel policy fulfil the principle of equal treatment of all employees and job applicants in their firm or institution. This naturally also applies to the employment of persons from ethnic minorities," project organisers said.

The brand holders can use the black-and-white logo with a two-colour figure resembling the one from a child board game on its documents and web page, in advertising and at all public events.

The Volnocasova society has "four ethnically different employees," including two Romanies.

Two of three permanent employees of the AOLP construction firm, - the female director and one worker - are Romanies and almost all other workers with ad hoc contracts are also Romanies.

One elementary school in Prague has three Romanies - one teacher and two female teachers' assistants.

The other elementary school has not only Romany pupils, but it also employs Romany female cooks and teachers' female assistants.

IQ Roma and Romea association want to promote Romanies' employment also with the campaign "Romanies work and want to work."

Part of the campaign were controversial spots and posters with plays on words pointing to stereotypes in people's attitude to Romanies.