Mercedes-Benz Hit with $7.3M Fine for Worker Harassment

A Brazilian labor court ordered Mercedes-Benz to pay $7.3 million in damages for discrimination and harassment against workers at its factory in Sao Paulo state. The court found that employees who suffered workplace injuries faced “humiliating and degrading situations,” including racial discrimination. Between 2004 and 2019, many workers were mistreated upon returning from sick leave, facing “isolation, including physical isolation,” and were deprived of promotions and salary increases after being labeled a “divergent group.”

Mercedes-Benz Faces Penalty

One worker reported being called a “monkey son of a bitch” by a colleague for not lifting more than five kilograms (11 pounds) and was subsequently suspended after filing a complaint. Another plaintiff, who is black, was assigned menial tasks and was mocked for his skin color. The judge dismissed Mercedes-Benz’s claim that these practices were “isolated incidents,” stating that accepting this would be a “serious” setback for workers’ rights. Mercedes-Benz has not yet commented on the case.

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