First Sikh Marine Engineer with Beard Joins BC Ferries in Canada
Gurdaspur’s BITS Pilani graduate is Canada’s first bearded Sikh marine engineer
The Indian Express
Image: The Indian Express
Karambir Singh Kang from Kang village in Dhariwal tehsil, Gurdaspur, Punjab, has made history as Canada's first Sikh marine engineer to serve with a full beard at BC Ferries. This milestone follows nearly four years of advocacy for religious accommodation in the maritime sector, leading to a policy change that allows beards for safety roles.
- 01Karambir Singh Kang is the first Sikh marine engineer to serve with a beard at BC Ferries.
- 02The policy change was influenced by advocacy from the World Sikh Organization of Canada and the BC Ferry and Marine Workers’ Union.
- 03BC Ferries conducted a risk assessment that led to the removal of the clean-shaven requirement for key positions.
- 04Capt. Gurpreet Singh Bajwa also became BC Ferries’ first turbaned Sikh Deck Officer.
- 05The development highlights ongoing challenges in accommodating religious practices in various sectors.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Karambir Singh Kang, a graduate from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, has become the first Sikh marine engineer to serve with a full beard at BC Ferries, the primary ferry operator in British Columbia, Canada. This significant milestone was announced on April 30, following nearly four years of advocacy by the World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) and the BC Ferry and Marine Workers’ Union. Previously, Kang faced repeated rejections due to BC Ferries' clean-shaven policy, which was linked to safety requirements for self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). However, a comprehensive risk assessment by BC Ferries determined that many key positions, including Deck Officers and Chief Engineers, do not require immediate SCBA readiness, leading to the removal of the clean-shaven requirement fleet-wide. This change not only accommodates beards for religious and personal reasons but also aligns with Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Alongside Kang, Capt. Gurpreet Singh Bajwa has also made history as BC Ferries’ first turbaned Sikh Deck Officer. The WSO has praised these developments as important steps toward equality and inclusion, while also highlighting the need for broader regulatory reform to accommodate bearded workers in various sectors.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
This milestone allows Sikh individuals to pursue careers in marine engineering without compromising their religious beliefs, promoting inclusivity in the workplace.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
Do you support policies that accommodate religious practices in the workplace?
Connecting to poll...
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.



