Discrimination against people with Hepatitis C - risky business

12/03/2004

The Equal Opportunity Commission today urged Victorians to stamp out discrimination against people with Hepatitis C.

Chief Executive, Dr Diane Sisely, said the Commission supported the Hepatitis C Council of Victoria's Awareness Week, (March 15 to 19) which will this year focus on the problems of discrimination.

She said individuals and organisations that discriminated against people with Hepatitis C ran the risk of a complaint to the Equal Opportunity Commission.

"We do not get many complaints from people with Hepatitis C but we know from the Hepatitis C Council that discrimination is widespread," she said.

"Perhaps people with Hepatitis C are not aware of their rights under Equal Opportunity laws or perhaps they are reluctant to come forward for fear of reprisals. "

Hepatitis C is covered under the Equal Opportunity Act provisions for impairment/disability.

It is against the law to discriminate against people with Hepatitis C, in employment, accommodation, education, clubs, sport and the provision of goods and services.

For example it is against the law for an employer to refuse someone a job or for sporting organisations to prevent someone from playing a team sport because they have Hepatitis C.

Dr Sisely said in very rare cases exceptions to the law applied that allowed people to discriminate in order to protect the health or safety of individuals.

"Employers and providers of goods and services should ensure safe work practices to prevent the transmission of diseases in general rather than exclude a person because they had Hepatitis C," she said.

"Discrimination stigmatises people and prevents them from fully participating in society. It adds to the burden that people with Hepatitis C already carry as a result of their illness."