Makeup Artist sues ABC for Mask Discrimination

As we’re all aware 2020 to date has hit the world with a Global Pandemic. To this current day we are enduring the damage all over the world.

With this we’ve endured lockdown measures, Covid Safe restrictions and mask mandates. We Melbournite’s feel, Melbourne, Australia being the harshest of any city in the world. 

My personal dispute began in August 2020 (beginning of mask mandates in Melbourne) when my employer the Australian Broadcasting Corporation refused to support a medical condition which prevented me from being able to continue safely wearing a mask. As a result of having an inflammatory condition, I become very ill with Sepsis from the reuse of contaminated P2 masks, a direction I was given by ABC in March.  At the time the community wasn't required in anyway to wear masks with the exception of front line workers. It was recommended by Management that all staff within the Makeup Department wear P2 face masks which at the time were scarce due to a worldwide shortage. We were required to spray down the masks with alcohol after each use to preserve, disinfect and conserve them for serval uses before disposing of them.
    
During this time the recommended face coverings by the CHO were surgical masks, scarf, snood, homemade face coverings and face shields. As an alternative to a face mask which covers both nose/mouth, I resorted to using a face shield which supported my medical condition as well as continuing to be compliant with the directives by Government. 
The ABC wanted me to provide them with a medical exemption, noting the condition (which was not a requirement by the Government guidelines for confidentiality and still is not!). I of course provided this humbly. 

So what did the ABC do?

Fix the situation? No!

The ABC Management made the decision to stand me down, leave without pay!

This has left me no choice but to seek further action against this unfair decision and expose the discrimination I have endured based on my having a medical condition which prevented me from safely wearing a mask.  ABC's decision has now left me without a source of income to support my family and potential future employment due to the ongoing State of Emergency. 

The Covid restrictions and loss of income from my primary employment at the ABC has consequently halted any opportunity to fund my legal case moving forward. This would be injustice in the form of me not having access to the resources to continue.

I have started this GoFundMe page to seek support from my community to raise funds to help me get justice. It is my hope by taking action this will prevent discrimination similar to these circumstances. 

This is about the community.

Thank you for you ongoing support! 

Silvia Chamoun. 

*funds not used will be refunded