Quebec's Human Rights Commission is recommending Montreal-based Calego International pay 15 Chinese immigrant workers $164,000 for alleged racial discrimination in 2006.

The commission's recommendation, which is non-binding, could be brought before the province's Human Rights Tribunal.

Fo Niemi, executive director of the Centre for Research Action on Race Relations, which helped the workers file the complaint, said the issue dates back to a hot July day when the workers were allegedly involved in a dispute with a manager regarding cleanliness.

"Only the Chinese workers were rounded up and then the boss basically shouted racial slurs at them, accusing them of being dirty," Niemi claimed.

"It was such an insult, and an affront to their dignity that many of them asked for an apology…. Two of them were practically shoved out by their supervisor."

After the company refused to apologize, the workers resigned.

The Human Rights Commission is recommending each of the workers receive $10,000, plus an additional $7,000 for those who were allegedly physically assaulted.

Niemi said the recommendation sends a clear message to employers, especially those in the manufacturing sector where there are a large number of immigrant workers — workers who may be fearful of coming forward, and may not know their rights.

"It is important for every manager or employer to be very respectful of what they say, and how they treat employees," Niemi said.

Company denies allegations

Lawyer Julius Grey, who is representing Calego International, rejects the decision.

Grey said the company denies the discrimination took place — but even if it had, he called the damages unreasonable.

"Assume for a moment that somebody lost his temper, and said something silly — the idea that that would cost between $150,000 to $200,000 is tantamount to a form of new totalitarianism, where on certain issues a person has to be so careful that no one will speak," said Grey

Should the case be brought before the tribunal, Grey said the company would fight the allegations.