A Bangladeshi woman named Khan Saima Begum has accused the owner of a law firm in Hong Kong and the Indian supervisor of that firm of sexual and racial harassment. This news was reported in a report of the South China Morning Post on Friday.
In this regard, Hong Kong's 'Equal Opportunities Commission' said today that they filed the case in the District Court on behalf of Khan Saima Begum. The commission said the case will raise public awareness of illegal sexual and racial harassment in the workplace.
Saima Begum alleged that she worked as a part-time law clerk in 'WT Law Offices' from March 2021 to February 2022. There he was sexually and racially harassed by his former employer Chui Pui-Hung.
Saima alleged that Chui addressed her with slurs in Hindi that referred to female genitalia. Apart from that, he used to insult him as 'Paki'. This term is a derogatory term for people from Pakistan and South Asia.
Saima also alleged that she pleaded with Chui to stop using such insulting words, but he did not listen. Not only that, Chui's Indian supervisor Manuraj taught him these derogatory words.
Manuraj often talked about his sexual relationship in front of Saima. He also sent Saima sexually suggestive links.
Saima's most serious allegation against Manuraj is that Saima once sat down with him in a restaurant after an office break to discuss work. But Manuraj forcibly held her there and kissed her on the lips while wearing a mask.
Saima said, these allegations were brought up to the two accused but they did not stop. He quit his job on 10 February 2022 due to continuous harassment.
Khan Saima Begum appealed to the court that the accused apologized to her in writing and demanded HK$236,200 as compensation. In Bangladesh currency which is more than 36 lakh taka.
Saima also highlighted the rationale of the amount fixed for compensation. Of this, he added HK$16,200 for his three-month salary, HK$200,000 for emotional injury and another HK$20,000 as punitive damages.
According to Hong Kong's Gender Discrimination Ordinance, sexual harassment is sexual behavior against a person against their will. For example—unwanted physical touches, kisses, or sexual gestures. Such conduct may be humiliating, embarrassing or terrifying to the victim, the Ordinance states.
On the other hand, according to Hong Kong's Racial Discrimination Ordinance, racial harassment is—demeaning or humiliating behavior based on another's race or color.
The commission, which prosecuted Saima, said the case would send an important message about the legal consequences of sexual and racial harassment in the workplace in Hong Kong.
It added, 'The case will remind employers and workers that sexual or racial harassment in the workplace is illegal and has serious legal consequences.'
