SANTA MONICA: The video game giant, Activision Blizzard, has agreed to pay US $55 million to settle allegations for discrimination against female workers, Western media reported on Sunday.
The California Civil Rights Department filed the complaint against the company in July 2021 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, saying that women at the firm were paid less than men.
The lawsuit also accused that the executives and human resources staff at Activision ignored the discrimination complaints of the women workers.
Microsoft acquired the California-based video game company for $69 billion in October after nearly two years of regulatory scrutiny in the largest ever agreement in the gaming industry.
The settlement agreement addresses the accusations and requires Activision to take steps to ensure fair pay at the company.
Company to provide payouts to California-based women
The company under the settlement has to provide payouts to California-based women who were employees or contract workers at the firm from October 12, 2015 and December 31, 2020.
According to the agreement the California regulator withdrew its harassment claims.
Activision spokesperson in a statement appreciated the importance of the issues addressed in this settlement saying that the company is dedicated to fully implement all the new obligations.
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Approximately out of $54.88 million from the settlement, $45.75 million will go towards a fund dedicated to compensating female workers.
Any leftover funds will be transferred to charities focused on advancing women in the video game and technology industries.
