HONOLULU – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced on May 15 the settlement of a federal lawsuit against a cruise line company for $485,000 to seven former employees and remedial relief.

In its lawsuit, filed in 2006 under the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the EEOC alleged that NCL America, Inc. discharged seven Middle Eastern crew members from various positions on the cruise ship “Pride of Aloha.”

NCL America denied that it acted improperly against these crew members in agreeing to resolve the lawsuit.

“We are very pleased with this outcome, and NCL America should be applauded for its commitment to prevent discrimination by agreeing to the comprehensive injunctive relief in this case,” said Anna Y. Park, attorney for EEOC’s Los Angeles district office, which includes Hawaii.

Los Angeles District Director Olophius Perry added, “We encourage all employers to utilize EEOC’s resources to ensure proper EEO training and compliance.”

NCL America further agreed to pay the crew members $485,000, to revise its policies to ensure a workplace that promotes equal employment opportunity, to hire an EEO consultant and to provide training to its managers and employees on the company’s equal employment policy and complaint procedure.

For more information on federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination, visit www.eeoc.gov.