Another Embassy in the dock over discrimination claims

The Qatar Embassy is the latest mission to be taken to court over allegations of mistreatment of its local staff.

The Embassy receptionist claims he was the victim of a “sustained campaign of racial bullying” by a diplomatic member of staff. The Embassy of Qatar has denied the accusations.

This is the third employment tribunal in the past year involving embassies. The tribunal judge has stayed the Qatar case until a decision is made by the Court of Appeal in two test cases over whether embassies can properly claim diplomatic immunity against such legal actions.

Fatima Benkharbouche, a cook at the Sudanese embassy, and Minah Janah, a nanny at the Libyan embassy, are due to find out if they have the right to sue for alleged employee abuses. If they win their appeal, this may open the door to other missions being sued by local staff.