Group of Workers Win Racial Discrimination Case Against Forestry Company

A group of more than 50 workers sued a forestry company and two of its employees for discrimination based on race, colour, ancestry and place of origin. They claimed, among other things, that they were subjected to racial harassment and not provided adequate personal hygiene facilities. The Tribunal said that unlike many cases alleging racism, the connection between race and adverse treatment was ‘quite straightforward’ in this case. There were open racial taunts and clear distinctions as to wages drawn along racial lines as well as more subtle issues such as toilet arrangements. So it ordered the company to pay each worker $10,000 for injury to their dignity and self-respect [Balikama v. Khaira Enterprises Ltd., [2014] B.C.H.R.T.D. No. 107, May 23, 2014].