The Windhoek High Court has dismissed a defamation counterclaim by businessman Li Bailong and instead ordered him to compensate his former employee, Itakeya Ruthe George, with N$230,000 for degrading treatment.
The judgment stems from an incident on November 6, 2021, when George, who was employed as a fabric shop salesperson at China Town in Windhoek, was allegedly forced to remove her work uniform in public after being dismissed following a dispute with a customer. She described the experience as humiliating and a violation of her dignity.
Bailong denied the allegations and accused George of spreading false and defamatory claims, including that he stripped her in public. However, the court found no evidence to support his counterclaim.
Judge’s findings concluded that Bailong’s conduct violated George’s constitutional right to dignity and amounted to inhumane treatment, warranting compensation.
The ruling reinforces the legal principle that employers must respect the constitutional rights of their employees in the workplaces.
