Louis Vuitton sued over manager’s slave comment about African employees
Fashion house Louis Vuitton is facing a lawsuit after a boss at a flagship store allegedly told an African employee that “Black people are slaves who eat dirt off the floor.”
Sales associate Oliver Koffi claims he was in the stock room packing shoes for a customer when his manager began the rant in front of shocked staff.
He alleged that the manager called Barack Obama a “muppet” and said America would be better off with “Miss Piggy” as its president because “Muslim people… don’t eat pork”.
Mr Koffi says he was left humiliated by the “black slaves” slur while working at the label’s store in Central London.
Details of the allegations emerged in papers which will be presented to a Central London Employment Tribunal on July 18.
At the time of the incident, Koffi was a contract worker at the Louis Vuitton Townhouse at London’s iconic Selfridges department store. He recorded the racist comments on tape after concerns over the manager’s conduct surfaced.
Koffi is suing Louis Vuitton for racist discrimination and harassment. “The comment was grossly offensive and extremely humiliating,” Koffi told Mirror. “His reference to slavery in this day and age with regards to black people is quite frankly revolting.”
“All of his comments were derogatory and a clear illustration of his prejudices towards other races and religions.” Koffi said.
Racism is alive and well.
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