Lepra hit by discrimination claim

By Helen Warrell, Third Sector, 11 July 2007

An industrial tribunal into accusations of racism and constructive dismissal at medical aid charity Lepra heard last week how the chief executive allegedly told a Bangladeshi staff member that his countrymen were "untruthful" and "always out to make trouble".

Rokunuz Zaman, who was programme officer for Lepra's Bangladesh project between May 2004 and November 2005, claimed at the hearing that he endured bullying and race discrimination from senior management while working at the Colchester-based organisation. Zaman alleged that in a disciplinary meeting in October 2005, Lepra bosses accused him...