Kathmandu. Google has agreed to pay $28 million (more than Rs 3.87 billion) in compensation to end a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination among employees.
According to the plaintiffs, Google pays employees of other ethnic backgrounds less and offers fewer opportunities than white and Asian employees. The world’s largest technology company has confirmed the settlement. However, it has denied the allegations against it.
The lawsuit was filed in 2021 by former Google employee Ana Cantu. The lawsuit alleged that employees of Hispanic, Latino, Native American and other backgrounds were paid less and started in lower positions than their white and Asian counterparts.
At least 6,632 people filed the lawsuit against Google between February 15, 2018, and December 31, 2024, according to news agency Reuters. Earlier this year, Google joined a growing number of US companies that have backed away from their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in its hiring policies.
The companies that have withdrawn from the DEI program include major companies such as Meta, Amazon, Pepsi, McDonald’s and Walmart. Google’s fine agreement comes at a time when US President Donald Trump and his allies have been increasingly attacking DEI policies. –Agency
