COMMISSIONER of Police, Anambra State, Mr John Abang has been urged to investigate allegations of sexual harassment of girls working in an Onitsha-based company by Chinese workers.
‘Stand Up For Women Society,’ a group made of female lawyers made the call in a petition, titled, “Cases of sexual harassment, human rights and labour violations by the expatriate workers,” addressed to the Commissioner.
“We humbly write to bring to your notice, cases of sexual harassment, assault, human rights abuses and labour violations by expatriate workers at Dexin West Africa Limited at Niger Bridge Industrial Layout, Onitsha.
“A particular incident occurred on June 12, 2020, at about 9.30 pm between three expatriate workers and one female worker.
“The expatriate worker was reported to have called the lady on night duty from the factory work bay who gave her his phone to read a message on it.
“After reading the message, the Chinese worker told her to be ready to come back to their house to sleep with his brother and that they will pay her the sum of N4000.
“She warned the Chinese against insulting her and when the girl turned to go back to continue with her work, the Chinese kicked her on the bottom and her phone fell down and broke.
“After the incident, the expatriate worker gave her some money and told her that she had been sacked and that she should not enter the company again.
“Because it was too late for her to go home that night, the girl ended up sleeping at the company’s security post till the next morning.
“We seriously view these issues especially the manner and situations in which they occurred as breaches and harassment of the highest order by these expatriates
“Termination of one’s appointment without any justification and without payment of any benefits and exposure of the young girl to harsh weather with the attendant health risks, are also serious infringement of her fundamental rights.
“We hereby pray that you use your good offices to properly investigate these atrocities and impunity with the aim of bringing the culprits to book,” they said in the petition signed by Adaobinna Edozie (Chairperson), Nkolika Ebede (Secretary), Joy Ikebuaku (Legal Adviser) and Chinwe Mezue (Woman Leader).
