100 Sikh guards lose jobs over Toronto's mask rules

Tribune News Service

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Bathinda, July 5

As many as 100 Sikh security guards have lost their jobs because of Toronto’s mask mandate. The rules required them to be clean-shaven so that they can wear properly-fitting N95 respirators while working.

The World Sikh Organisation (WSO) has called the policy absurd and said the guards were being punished for their faith, which requires them to grow their facial hair and it also urged the city administration to change the rule.

Balpreet Singh of the Ottawa-based WSO said this “unfair and unnecessary” policy has resulted in more than 100 security guards losing their jobs.

The WSO demanded that the City of Toronto must reinstate all Sikh security guards to their original positions and compensate them for missed/demoted work.

New Democratic Party (NDP) president Jagmeet Singh has tweeted: “Over 100 Sikh security guards have been removed because of this “clean shave” requirement. This policy is discriminatory and isolates workers. Many of these same individuals served us through the height of the Covid pandemic. They deserve to be immediately reinstated”.

President of the Treasury Board of Ontario and MLA Prabhmeet Singh Sarkaria said it was really disappointing to hear that Sikh security guards have lost their jobs because of the “clean-shaven” requirement by the City of Toronto. I encourage the city to accommodate everyone affected immediately.

Meanwhile, Punjab minister Harjot Singh Bains tweeted: “Beard and moustaches are identity of a Sikh and of upmost value to his faith. Urge @cityoftoronto to roll back the decision which is against the faith of Sikhs, as it has hurt sentiments of Sikhs worldwide.”

Former Ontario MLA Gurrattan Singh said: “No one should have to choose between their faith and paying the bills. The discriminatory ‘no-beard policy’ in the city of Toronto must end immediately. Let Sikhs and any other religious community that keep a beard, work”.

NGO United Sikhs Canada said: “The current rule is unjustifiable, unfair and discriminatory. As a result of this rule, several Sikh employees lost their jobs. United Sikhs will continue to closely monitor this situation and work with victims towards reversing the adverse harm”.

After the complaint by the WSO and facing stiff opposition from the Sikh community in Canada, the City of Toronto is directing its contractors to reinstate any security guard who lost his job because he was required to shave his beard in order to wear N95 mask at work.

What does the mandate say

Toronto city mandates that security guards working at the city shelter and respite sites must be clean-shaven to be able to wear a tight-fitting N95 mask in the event of a Covid-19 outbreak

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