Two female employees of the Federal Directorate of Immunisation (FDI) have approached the Federal Ombudsman over alleged workplace harassment and discriminatory treatment.
Data assistants Uzma Mohib and Faiza Nabeel have named office attendant Aqeel Abbas and administrative officer Jafar Shah in their complaint. They alleged harassment, character assassination and retaliatory treatment at their workplace.
Women Allege Harassment and Inappropriate Remarks
According to their application, Aqeel Abbas allegedly contacted the husband of one of the women and used inappropriate language. The applicants also alleged that insulting remarks about their character were made during the conversation.
The two employees further alleged that Aqeel Abbas and Jafar Shah repeatedly made derogatory comments about their physical appearance. They also accused Jafar Shah of withholding a house-hiring file.
According to the complaint, the women were allegedly given an inappropriate condition regarding the processing of the file. They claimed they were asked to come to the office and have tea with the official in return for processing it.
The applicants said the alleged harassment and discriminatory treatment intensified after they rejected the offer.
Employees Allege Freezer Room Retaliation
The women further alleged that they faced difficult working conditions after refusing the alleged offer. They claimed they were assigned duties inside freezer rooms maintained at temperatures between minus 15 and minus 25 degrees Celsius.
They described the assignments as retaliation for rejecting the alleged offer. However, these claims remain allegations presented in their complaint to the Federal Ombudsman.
The applicants also alleged that the accused was made unavailable from the office. They claimed this was done to prevent him from appearing before an inquiry officer.
On another occasion, the women alleged that a security supervisor stopped their vehicle at the main gate. They said they were treated in a humiliating manner during the incident.
Women Request Transparent Inquiry
The two employees have asked the Federal Ombudsman to conduct a transparent inquiry into their allegations. They have also requested protection during the proceedings.
Their complaint raises allegations concerning workplace conduct, discriminatory treatment and the treatment they say followed their rejection of the alleged offer.
The Federal Ombudsman has been approached to examine the claims and provide a transparent process for addressing the allegations.
