Woman awarded €15k over racial slurs at work

A MALAYSIAN woman who alleged that her supervisor in a Limerick cafe called her “blackie” and compared her to a black handbag has been awarded €15,000 compensation by the Equality Tribunal.

Eswary Valaithan, who worked at two outlets in Limerick city owned by Quigley’s Cafe and Bakery, also claimed that on a number of occasions, the supervisor made derogatory racial remarks about her appearance and her partner.

In her submission to the tribunal Ms Valaithan, who split her time between cafes in Cruises St and the Crescent Shopping Centre, said she did not confront the supervisor because she was afraid it would make matters worse and her hours might be cut. However, in May 2007, she sought help from the Citizen’s Advice Bureau who helped her write a letter of complaint to her manager. When Ms Valaithan met the manager she would not listen to her complaints but instead mentioned customer complaints against Ms Valaithan.