Surrey, BC — In a landmark victory for workplace inclusion and human rights, the World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) and the BC Ferry & Marine Workers’ Union (BCFMWU) have announced a historic breakthrough for Sikh workers in the maritime sector. According to a written release issued by the WSO, a copy of which is available with the Sikh Siyasat News (SSN), nearly four years of sustained advocacy have led to the removal of discriminatory barriers at BC Ferries that previously affected practicing Sikhs.

As a direct outcome of these efforts, Karambir Singh has become the first Sikh marine engineer with a full beard to secure a position with BC Ferries. Additionally, Gurpreet Singh Bajwa has been recognized as the organization’s first turbaned Sikh Deck Officer and Captain. This milestone signifies a major step forward in allowing Sikh Canadians to fully engage in maritime professions without having to compromise their religious identity.

For years, Sikh workers in the marine sector faced systemic obstacles due to mandatory clean-shaven requirements tied to self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) policies. These regulations effectively excluded individuals who keep unshorn hair as a tenet of their faith. The rigid policies established a “no shave, no shift” environment, denying employment to qualified candidates based solely on religious observance, despite the availability of safe alternatives. The WSO’s release highlighted that this de facto exclusion contradicted protections outlined under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the BC Human Rights Code.

Following extensive joint advocacy from the WSO and BCFMWU, BC Ferries conducted a comprehensive risk assessment. The organization determined that several key positions did not require immediate SCBA readiness, leading to the removal of the clean-shaven requirement for Deck Officers, Chief Engineers, and most First Engineer roles.

WSO President Danish Singh celebrated the policy shift:

“This marks a significant step forward for equality and inclusion in British Columbia. For too long, Sikh workers have been forced to choose between their faith and their careers. Blanket clean-shave requirements are neither appropriate nor consistent with the law. This decision shows that with evidence-based policy, collaboration, and persistence, safety can be fully maintained while respecting fundamental rights.”

Karambir Singh, whose career was previously stalled by these regulations, shared his experience:

“I had the required Marine Engineering credentials and consistently reached the final stages of hiring, but each time I was told I would need to be clean-shaven. Because of my faith, that was not an option. This is a proud moment. It shows that change is possible, but there is still work to be done to ensure full and equal access for everyone.”

Capt. Gurpreet Singh Bajwa, who joined BC Ferries as a Deck Officer in 2023, was instrumental in advancing this change. Upon his hiring, the turban was not formally recognized within the company’s uniform policy. Through constructive engagement, he helped secure a landmark policy update in July 2024 that officially accommodated the turban. He later represented union workers during the BC Ferries’ risk assessment process, advocating for inclusive alternatives to the clean-shaven rule.

“I stood my ground for my faith, not just for myself, but so that no one after me has to choose between who they are and the career they deserve,” stated Capt. Bajwa.

While BC Ferries’ fleet-wide decision is a meaningful victory, the WSO emphasizes that the broader systemic issue remains unresolved. Current regulatory frameworks still prioritize “skin-to-seal” assumptions for respirators, affecting workers across industries such as emergency response, firefighting, healthcare, and construction.

The WSO continues to push for regulatory reform through WorkSafeBC, advocating for performance-based standards focused on whether respirators achieve an effective seal rather than dictating a worker’s appearance. Concurrently, the organization is supporting research into the Singh Thattha Method (STM), an evidence-based beard management technique that could allow individuals with beards to safely utilize respirators, ensuring they are no longer excluded from critical professions.