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Muslim Factory Worker Called “bomb Chucker” Awarded $25,000

Muslim factory worker called “bomb chucker” awarded $25,000

A Muslim factory worker who was called a “bomb chucker” and “Osama Bin Laden” has been awarded $25,000.

The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal found his employer discriminated against him on the basis of his ethnic origin.

Muslim factory worker subjected to unlawful discrimination

Toll Pty Ltd employed Mohamed Abdulrahman as a forklift driver.

Abdulrahman is Australian-born and also spends extended periods of time in his parents’ homeland of Lebanon.

Abdulrahman filed a complaint in NCAT, claiming his manager, Troy Wallace, repeatedly mocked him.

For example, Wallace referred to him as “Mokaakaakaahomed” over a public address system as if could not pronounce his name properly.

Additionally, Wallace allegedly asked Abdulrahman to change his name to an Anglo-Saxon name such as “John”.

Furthermore, he made demeaning remarks about Abdulrahman’s wife’s form of dress.

Finally, NCAT heard that union delegate Les Ponting called Abdulrahman names such as “Osama Bin Laden” and “bomb chucker”.

Employer vicariously liable

The Tribunal found Toll vicariously liable for the conduct of its employees, and therefore had discriminated against Abdulrahman on the grounds of race.

As a result, the company treated him differently than others not of his ethno-religious background.

The Tribunal consequently awarded damages of $25,000 to Abdulrahman for hurt and humiliation.

Company appeals decision

The company appealed the decision, describing the $25,000 in damages as excessive, however NCAT dismissed it.

Industrial advocate Miles Heffernan from Discrimination Claims said the appeal is surprising.

“When it comes to breaches of the Anti-Discrimination Act, it doesn’t get more blatant than this case,” he said.

“I would have thought a Muslim worker so harshly and cruelly and publicly ridiculed as happened in this case is surely worth 25 grand.”


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