Nigerian man awarded €7,500 over harassment

A NIGERIAN welder who claimed he was bullied and harassed by co-workers at a company in Waterford has been awarded €7,500.

Tony Odion was employed by sheet metal manufacturers Techniform (Waterford) Ltd in September 2003, following a two-week work experience placement on completion of a FÁS course. Mr Odion, whose case was heard by the Equality Tribunal, alleged he had problems with co-workers throwing paper towels at him.

Mr Odion said three co-workers caused him constant problems by telling him he was working too hard and should slow down. He says they told him there had previously been two black employees in the company who were no longer there, and, according to equality officer Anne-Marie Lynch, “he interpreted this as a threat that he would meet the same fate”.