A radio advertising campaign is paying off for the Human Rights Commission with its catchy signature tune prompting extra calls, says Executive Officer Neville Darrell.

And he said the "Did you Know?'' promotion -- running for free on VSB -- between last October and this March -- was helping clarify what the Commission did.

Mr. Darrell said: "We get a lot of calls about things which are really consumer-type complaints, which we refer to Consumer Affairs. But now there is a bit more awareness.

"We worked to get a definite sound tag on the adverts.

"People say they have been entertained by the music. They said it was very informative and then they say what their complaint is. It's very gratifying.'' Topics covered in the promotion included disability, harassment and training.

He said calls averaged between 75 and 90 a month but callers were now focusing on issues raised in the advertising campaign.

Sexual harassment issues and complaints from pregnant woman being turned down for accommodation or facing eviction were still the most frequent grievances said Mr. Darrell, though complete statistics for 2000 aren't available yet.

Company training sessions are being offered by the HRC -- something which will increasingly appeal predicts Mr. Darrell as commerce gets to grips with the implications of the new Employment Act.

He said: "They will have to be more vigilant about the working environment.

"They will want to talk about disabilities and sex discrimination.'' And he thanked VSB for giving the Commission six months of free air time.

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