An employment tribunal recently awarded £183,773 in damages in the UK’s first case of caste discrimination, causing many human resource experts to wonder if employers could be facing an increase in these kinds of claims.

The landmark case is centred around Permila Tirkey, who came from Bihar (one of the poorest parts of India) and was recruited to work in the United Kingdom.  Shortly after being recruited Tirkey was kept in domestic servitude and forced to work as a maid and nanny.

When the claim was initially made, many employers didn’t feel as though it could ever apply to them.  This case, however, proves that the Equality Act can be used to argue caste discrimination.  Although the Equality Act doesn’t directly cover caste, it does in fact cover ethnicity under race discrimination.  This is the part used to drive Tirkey v Chandok.

Tirkey’s solicitor, Victoria Marks, works for the Anti Trafficking and Labour Exploitation Unit and explains that this was a very useful judgment for victims facing modern day slavery.

While £183,773 may seem like a hefty number, this payout only covers compensation in relation to unpaid wages.  The case is due to go back to tribunal in order to determine the discrimination part of the reward.

One human resource expert, Audrey Williams from law firm Fox Williams, feels as though this is a positive development because it confirms that caste discrimination can be argued, regardless of how much uncertainty surrounds to what extent.

Since caste is now at the forefront of the human resource industry, it is highly important that all employers within the UK be aware of any biases in judgment, leadership or harassment that could specifically be due to caste discrimination.