Latino Employees Allegedly Forced to Use Separate, Unsanitary Bathrooms by B&H
The Department of Labor filed an administrative lawsuit against B&H Foto & Electronics Corp., over allegations of the electronics retailer discriminating against the Hispanic, female, black and Asian employees, per DNA Info.
According to the report, the allegations included claims that the B&H instructed the Hispanic workers to use "separate, unsanitary and often inoperable restrooms." There were also no "designated restrooms or changing facilities" for the female workers.
The Hispanic employees also had to deal with being subjected to "racist remarks, degrading comments and harassment" when working at the New York site. Furthermore, the white employees enjoyed higher salaries and a bigger likelihood of promotions. Black and Asian workers were allegedly snubbed for entry-level positions.
DOL spokesman Ted Fitzgerald has revealed that the suit was filed with DOL's Office of Administrative Law Judges after an investigation from January 2013 to March 2014.
B&H Foto & Electronics Corp. has been under fire for several months with workers publicly denouncing the company last October 2015 for the various health and safety abuses it allegedly committed against the employees, according to a report from Al Jazeera America.
The main warehouse is reportedly insulated with fibreglass that causes rashes, respiration problems and daily nosebleeds to the workers. A second warehouse features asbestos-insulated tubing. Apart from the suffocating environment, the workers also say that they are constantly denied water or bathroom breaks as well as basic safety equipment.
Others have reported abuse such as a manager refusing to call for medical help after a worker was badly cut and bleeding. Another manager splashed hot water on a worker and slapped him.
"They treat us as if we were animals. We are involved in this [campaign] because we are tired of being abused," Florencio Salgado, a B&H employee, said.
Since the company is a federal contractor with over $46 million in contracts with the FBI and General Services Administration, the B&H is subject to regular DOL review, the DNA Info report said. If the retailer loses the administrative case, all the existing contracts could be canceled and the company could be blocked from future contracts.
Harold Posner, B&H spokesman, opted not to comment on the allegations. However, he did reiterate the company's commitment to their employees and their right for union representation.
"Our employees have played a central role to the success of our business, and that is why we have gone to great lengths to ensure the highest standards for living wages and benefits, workplace safety, and respect and dignity in the workplace," Posner said.
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