'Paki' tube worker wins £93,000

A tube worker was awarded £93,000 in damages today in one of the biggest race discrimination pay-outs ever made.

Escalator service engineer Jarwaid Khan was told by a manager "you Pakis are all the same" during months of sustained abuse and victimisation by managers.

Mr Khan, who had a "exemplary record" in 23 years at London Underground, was eventually driven to sign himself off sick from work with stress.

Mr Khan's case, brought by the engineering union Amicus, could open the floodgates for racism cases at LU. A Tube spokeswoman today admitted complaints of racism are "not uncommon" within the company.

A spokesman for Amicus, which includes the former Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union, today said: "He was persecuted for being Asian, and nothing else. The size of this settlement sends a message out to London Underground that this situation cannot be tolerated and must not be repeated."

Mr Khan worked as a lead fitter on the section of the Underground that covers the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines. Most of his time was spent fixing the Wood Green and Manor House escalators. He began to receive abuse towards the end of 1999.

Despite a previous flawless disciplinary record he found himself being disciplined over minor incidents and given the worst shifts available. Overtime was given to white colleagues in preference to Mr Khan despite his senior status and length of service.

As the situation worsened between September 1999 and January 2000, he was called "Paki" and insulted over his Islamic faith on a number of occasions.

When he sought representation form the union over the disciplinary measures a manager told him: "A little bit of pressure and you all go running to the union. I am not a racist. You Pakis are all the same."

The company was heavily criticisedby the employment tribunal for its handling of Mr Khan's complaints and its stance at the hearings.

Amicus head Sir Ken Jackson, who presented Mr Khan with his cheque today, said: "The full support given to Mr Khan demonstrates that this union will not tolerate action of discrimination against our members and sends a clear message to employers."

Mr Khan's legal battle was funded by Amicus. He hopes to go back to work at LU - as part of the award, the company has to provide counselling and assistance to help him return.

It is not the first case of racism against ethnic minority employees at London Underground - but is believed to be the largest there.

Black managers at LU were systematically victimised by their bosses over three years and younger, white staff were brought in and paid salaries several thousand pounds higher, a 1993 tribunal heard.

In an out-of-court settlement, London Underground admitted racial discrimination against 19 West Indians and one Asian by short-changing them when it introduced a performance-related pay system.

The men got more than £3,000 compensation each - £1,500 for "injury to feelings" plus an average £1,650 in voluntary severance pay.