Workplace racism complaints up 21% in North last year
The number of complaints made about racial discrimination and harassment in the North's workplaces was up by more than a fifth last year, according to the Equality Commission.
The body says 242 complaints were received in 2005.
Some of the cases detailed in its latest report reveal a shocking catalogue of racial abuse, with one African man being awarded £16,000 (€23,900) in compensation from his Co Tyrone employer.
The man, who was working as a welder, was asked by his colleagues if he knew Osama bin Laden and if he was in the country for terrorist training.
He says he also had bananas waved at him, was subjected to obscene and racist abuse and was the target of offensive graffiti, but his complaints were never taken seriously.
A Czech woman was awarded £10,000 (€14,900) due to harassment by co-workers at a nursing home, while two Polish chicken factory workers were awarded £5,000 (€7,500) each for being abused by their colleagues and treated less favourably by their employers.
