A DELIGHTED Bolton man who won his case of unlawful racial discrimination and victimisation has urged other victims to stand up for their rights.

As reported in yesterday's BEN, Ibrahim Sindhi, aged 28, went to an industrial tribunal when he was sacked after making complaints about racial taunts at work.

Mr Sindhi, from Halliwell, was employed as a customer care assistant by Aviation and Airport Services Limited, helping passengers in Manchester's Terminal 2.

As soon as Mr Sindhi, a Muslim of Indian origin, started in May 1995, he suffered repeated racial abuse and was called "Paki".

He complained and wrote to the firm's chairman. A company log noted he had made a phone call to check how he should address his letter of complaint.

By the time Mr Sindhi's letter arrived at the company's office, he had been sacked.

Mr Sindhi said: "I was made fun of and talked to in a sarcastic way. I tried to ignore it for the first couple of weeks, but after that I decided I needed to do something about it."

Mr Sindhi said the abuse escalated when his abuser found out he was planning to marry an English woman.

Mr Sindhi added: "I never had any complaints about my work. I had big plans and was relying on my wages."

Bolton Racial Equality Council and the Commission for Racial Equality successfully fought Mr Sindhi's case. During the stress of the case, Mr Sindhi's relationship with his girlfriend broke down.

The tribunal ruled in his favour.

He said: "I was absolutely over the moon when I found out. This decision has proved I was right from the start."

Now he is a business student at Bolton Institute and has a part-time job. The tribunal will discuss compensation next month.

Mr Sindhi added: "I want anyone suffering something like I did to know there is help. I couldn't have done it without Bolton Racial Equality Council and the Commission for Racial Equality."

The Bolton council offers a free, confidential advice service to people of any racial origin from its offices in Queen Street. They can be called on Bolton 528087.

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