In a landmark ruling, the Industrial Court has determined that Auto Abundance Sdn Bhd unfairly dismissed S. Janarthen due to racial discrimination, awarding him RM71,500 in back wages and compensation. This verdict marks a significant step towards ensuring fair treatment and equality in the workplace.

According to FMT, Court chairman D. Paramalingam revealed that internal conflicts between the company's two directors led to Janarthen being unjustly targeted. The finance director, Yim Kai Keong, attempted to justify Janarthens dismissal by making racially charged statements, claiming that Janarthen was insubordinate and disrespectful to coworkers due to having a godfather of the same race defending him.

Paramalingam denounced Yim's racially motivated arguments, emphasizing that Janarthen was merely a victim of the director's feud. The claimant had clearly been victimized by Yim, when in fact Yim's actual grouse is against Muralidharan. Due to the disagreement between the two directors, the claimant had to pay the price and lost his job, stated Paramalingam in the court award document.

Janarthen, who initially joined Auto Abundance in 2012 and rejoined in 2019, was dismissed in 2022 over allegations of drinking alcohol at work and challenging Yim to a fight. However, the court found the company's evidence, including photos and videos, to be inconclusive. The videos presented were edited, and Yim's failure to testify directly weakened the company's case.

Represented by lawyers R. Thayalan and Ambbi Balakrishnan, Janarthen succeeded in proving that his dismissal was unfair and racially motivated. The court's decision to award him RM71,500 underscores the importance of upholding justice and protecting employees from discrimination.

This ruling not only brings closure for Janarthen but also sends a powerful message to employers about the importance of fair treatment and non-discrimination in the workplace.

Source: FMT