Latest news with #100
Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Afro hair is still discriminated against in the UK - but the Halo Code calls for change
Black people are still being discriminated against simply for their hair texture and majority are unaware about the halo code - a code to help stop discrimination; but we need more to make a true difference. For years, Black individuals have faced discrimination for something beyond their control - their hair. Despite race discrimination being outlawed for over a decade, people continue to face discrimination because of their hair and, in turn, feel confined by the stigma. In September 2024, Spice Girl Mel B supported the "Fix the Law, not our hair" campaign, led by World Afro Day, to revise the country's equality laws and ban Afro hair discrimination by recognising Afro hair as a protected characteristic. Alongside this, an open letter called the '100 Voices, 100 Words Campaign' was sent to the UK Government and had been signed by 100 influential supporters, including Mel B, Beverley Knight, Fleur East, Sarah-Jane Crawford and many more. The letter called on MPs of all parties to vote for the recognition and prevention of Afro hair discrimination by updating the 2010 Equality Act. Despite these efforts, and the introduction of the Halo Code in 2020, why does hair discrimination persist in 2025? What is the Halo Code? The Halo Code was created by the Halo Collective, a group of 30 young Black campaigners who united through the Advocacy Academy, a social justice leadership charity, after repeatedly witnessing hair discrimination in the UK - especially in schools. The Halo Code is the UK's first explicit policy pledge that safeguards Black individuals from discrimination over their hair. It was established in 2020, specifically to address the fact that even though race discrimination has been illegal under the Equality Act 2010, many Black students and workers were still being penalised, excluded, or judged because of their natural Afro hair or protective hairstyles - missing out on job opportunities and even being expelled from school. The collective emerged in response to the hair discrimination observed across the UK, particularly in educational settings. They aimed to devise a clear, practical solution that would compel institutions to accept accountability. Their investigations revealed that 46% of parents reported their child's school policy penalised Afro hair. Additionally, 58% of Black students have been subjected to name-calling or uncomfortable questions about their hair at school and, for Black women at work, 1 in 5 feel compelled to straighten their hair for the office. They also found that numerous young Black girls found themselves excluded from school or pressured to alter their hair to conform with "uniform" rules. While the code has helped influence changes in workplaces and schools, with backing from major brands like Dove, the code is not part of UK law or government legislation - it is a voluntary code of conduct. Organisations and schools can opt to adopt this code to show their commitment to racial equity and inclusivity. By signing up, they publicly pledge to eradicate hair-based discrimination and revise policies to reflect this commitment. Why is Black hair still being policed? Despite the progress made by the Halo code, the European standard of beauty and professionalism continues to be deeply rooted in British schools and workplaces, with Afro hair frequently suffering from these prejudices. Even school uniform rules often ban natural textures or protective hairstyles, using terms such as "extreme" or "distracting" to describe such hair. For Black children, this can mean being excluded, sent home, humiliated just for showing up as themselves - and it doesn't end there. In workplaces, Black people often face remarks such as "your hair is too big," "unprofessional" or even suggestions to "tone it down", subtly pressuring Black employees to either straighten their hair or choose so-called acceptable styles to blend in. The Halo Code is a step forward The introduction of the Halo Code has been a significant step forward, granting Black people the freedom to style their hair as they wish. However, the reality is that it's not mandatory and many schools and workplaces have yet to adopt it, with many still enforcing unspoken rules about what constitutes "neat" or "presentable". Embracing the Halo Code isn't just a ticking a box - it's a clear indication that inclusion, fairness, and respect are valued in every environment. When schools and workplaces actively support the Halo Code, it communicates to Black students and employees that they are accepted just as they are, without having to sacrifice a part of their identity. But real change cannot be limited to a written policy alone. What we need is for the Equality Act 2010 to explicitly recognise hair as a characteristic warranting the much-needed protection for those with afro hair, and a cultural shift - challenging and unlearning the ingrained biases that still perceive Black hair as "too much" or "unprofessional."
The Star
17 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Govt aid is appreciated, but is not a long-term solution
GEORGE TOWN: The government's welfare initiatives such as MyKasih and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) have provided some relief to those in financial distress, especially the B40 group. However, voices on the ground are calling for a more sustainable approach to lifting people out of poverty amid rising living costs. Businessman Ahmad Munzrie Ahmad Kabir, 35, from Teluk Intan said that while these aid programmes are welcome, they fall short of addressing the economic pressures faced by many. 'The government needs to do more to resolve the root issues of poverty and provide better living standards to those who are often left out or overlooked.' Ahmad added that beyond short-term financial relief, long-term strategies must be in place to tackle persistent issues such as underemployment, low wages and food inflation. 'Political stability is also an important factor in ensuring the government can stay focused on helping the people and strengthening the country's economy.' Retirees are also feeling increasingly vulnerable. A ground level view: (From left) Ahmad, Doraisamy, Harmeet and Dr Khoo share the challenges they face. While receiving a monthly pension of RM1,100, retired school clerk P. Doraisamy, 75, from Penang, said inflation is eating away at his limited funds. 'Costs for meals and daily essentials have gone up by 20% to 30% over the past five years.' He said instead of just handing out money periodically, the government should focus on bringing down the cost of goods, especially raw ingredients. 'They should also look into creating more employment opportunities, especially for the younger generation and improving the quality of life through better public services, affordable housing and healthcare,' he said. Harmeet Singh, who works in Kuala Lumpur, hopes the government would introduce meaningful measures to ease the rising cost of living. The 26-year-old general manager of a startup company said essentials like food, fuel and rent have become increasingly expensive, and many of them are finding it harder to stay afloat. 'I would also like to see more support for small businesses and startups. 'Many young Malaysians are trying to build something of their own, but the current environment, from high overheads to limited access to funding, makes it very challenging.' Harmeet said it would be helpful if the government provided more targeted assistance, especially for lower-income groups and fresh graduates who are just starting their careers. 'Ultimately, what we are asking for is a fair chance to build a stable life, afford a home and have some financial security without constantly worrying about the next crisis,' he said. Consultant paediatrician and paediatric neurologist Dr Alex Khoo Peng Chuan, 53, from Ipoh, said that working in healthcare has made him acutely aware of the heavy burdens his patients carry. He said one of the greatest challenges he faces as a paediatrician is balancing maximum resources while ensuring that every decision prioritises patient well-being, with affordability being the most important consideration. 'If there is any way to ease the public's burden, especially by reducing the high cost of living – from basic necessities like food, housing and transport, to affordable healthcare, alongside measures to curb inflation, taxes and price hikes, it would make a meaningful difference,' he said. Ramesh Muthu said the government should pay closer attention to the challenges faced by citizens in their mid to late 50s, a demographic often overlooked. The sales manager said this age group continues to bear significant financial responsibilities, especially in supporting their children's tertiary education, while dealing with an uncertain economic future. The 56-year-old from Seremban stressed the need for a more structured system of tax relief for parents with children in higher education, particularly when they are unable to secure placements in public universities. Logistics operations executive Termit Singh, 32, said a one-off cash assistance is not enough for the people to cope with the rising cost of living, especially for those staying in Johor Baru. 'Due to our proximity with Singapore, our cost of living is much higher compared to other parts of the country, in terms of food, rent and groceries. 'Since we are also facing a brain drain of those searching for jobs across the border, I hope there will be better education plans such as scholarships and incentives to retain talent in Malaysia to help our economy.'
Barnama
17 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
CPO Futures Close Higher, Tracking Stronger Soybean Oil
CPO Futures Close Higher, Tracking Stronger Soybean Oil By Engku Shariful Azni Engku Ab Latif KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 (Bernama) -- Crude palm oil (CPO) futures on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives closed higher on Tuesday, tracking rising soybean oil futures on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) and the crude degummed soybean oil (CDSBO) market in South America overnight. Sunvin Group head of commodity research, Anilkumar Bagani, said the rapeseed oil futures traded on the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange (ZCE) and a stronger ringgit against the US dollar capped the gains in palm oil. 'According to The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), palm oil prices are expected to trade between RM4,100 to RM4,300 per tonne over the next month. The projection was driven by a strong soybean oil market and festive demand from India,' he told Bernama. Palm oil trader David Ng said the commodity's prices were boosted by stronger soybean oil and Dalian palm olein prices. 'We see support at RM4,200 and resistance at RM4,400,' he added. At the close, the spot-month August contract gained RM22 to RM4,196 per tonne, the September 2025 contract added RM30 to RM4,246, and the October 2025 contract rose RM39 to RM4,264. The November 2025 contract advanced RM42 to RM4,271, December 2025 climbed RM43 to RM4,270, and January 2026 gained RM38 to RM4,262 per tonne. Trading volume eased to 75,575 lots from 75,830 on Monday, while open interest declined to 231,767 contracts from 235,195 previously. The physical CPO price for July South inched up by RM20 to RM4,220 per tonne. -- BERNAMA
Barnama
a day ago
- Business
- Barnama
Palm Oil Exports Remain Elevated At 1.26 Million Tonnes In June
BUSINESS KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's palm oil exports in June 2025 remained higher year-on-year at 1.26 million tonnes, exceeding the 1.21 million tonnes in June 2024, said the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC). For the same month in 2022 and 2023, the palm oil exports stood at 1.19 million tonnes and 1.17 million tonnes respectively, it said in a statement today. 'In the first half of 2025, Kenya ranked as Malaysia's second-largest palm oil buyer, overtaking the EU27 countries by 21,000 tonnes and China by 117,000 tonnes. Kenya accounted for 30 per cent of Malaysia's total palm oil exports to Sub-Saharan Africa, with full-year imports from Malaysia projected to reach 1.3 million tonnes,' the council said. It added that Kenya remained a key growth market, driven by rising domestic consumption, with over 90 per cent of its palm oil imports used in food applications. Meanwhile, the MPOC said the palm oil inventories rose to an 18-month high of 2.03 million tonnes during the same month. Looking ahead, crude palm oil (CPO) prices are expected to stay firm, trading between RM4,100 and RM4,300 per tonne in the coming month, supported by festive demand from India and elevated US soybean oil prices. 'However, any rally in vegetable oil prices may be capped by abundant global oilseed supplies, particularly soybeans, as there is currently no shortage of oilseeds in the market,' it said. Meanwhile, it said global vegetable oil prices have rebounded from early-year losses, led by a 19 per cent surge in soybean oil since January. This outpaced gains in rapeseed oil (6.6 per cent) and palm oil (3.7 per cent), while sunflower oil rose a modest 1.7 per cent. 'Soybean oil remains the top-performing vegetable oil year-to-date, supported by the US biofuel policy announced in mid-June, which is expected to spur demand for domestically produced feedstocks. Strong soybean oil prices have improved the price competitiveness of palm oil,' the council said.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
CPO prices expected to trade between RM4,100–RM4,300 in coming weeks
KUALA LUMPUR: Crude palm oil (CPO) prices are expected to remain firm over the next month, trading between RM4,100 and RM4,300 per tonne, supported by elevated soybean oil prices and robust festive demand from India, the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) said. This comes as Malaysia's palm oil stockpile rose to an 18-month high of 2.03 million tonnes in June, driven by a 10.5 per cent month-on-month drop in exports, which fell to 1.26 million tonnes. Despite the monthly decline, June's export volume remained higher year-on-year, surpassing figures from June 2022 to 2024. India's palm oil imports from Malaysia have remained above 250,000 tonnes in both May and June, a trend MPOC expects to continue into the third quarter (Q3) as buyers restock ahead of the Diwali festival in October. "In Q3, India is projected to import around 2.9 million tonnes of palm oil to meet festive season demand. This firm buying interest will continue to support palm oil prices," the council said. In the first half of 2025, Kenya emerged as Malaysia's second-largest palm oil buyer, overtaking the EU27 and China. The country accounted for 30 per cent of Malaysia's palm oil exports to Sub-Saharan Africa, with full-year imports expected to reach 1.3 million tonnes. MPOC said over 90 per cent of Kenya's palm oil imports are used domestically for food purposes. On the global front, vegetable oil prices have rebounded, led by soybean oil, which has climbed 19 per cent since January. This outpaced gains in rapeseed oil (+6.6 per cent) and palm oil (+3.7 per cent), while sunflower oil posted a modest 1.7 per cent increase. The rebound in soybean oil is underpinned by the United States' mid-June biofuel policy, which is set to boost domestic feedstock demand. "According to the latest US Department of Agriculture projections, soybean oil use for biodiesel in the US is forecast to rise by 17 per cent, from six million tonnes in 2024 to seven million tonnes in 2026. "For the first time, more than 50 per cent of US soybean oil production is expected to be directed into biodiesel," it said. MPOC said revised US tax credit policies that favour North American feedstocks are also expected to keep US soybean oil and Canadian canola oil prices elevated relative to other vegetable oils. However, the council cautioned that further rallies in vegetable oil prices may be limited by abundant global oilseed supply, particularly soybeans. It said South American soybean production is expected to grow by eight million tonnes in 2026, reaching 245 million tonnes, while US soybean inventories are projected to double from 2023 levels due to lower exports to China and high carry-over stocks.
