London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

British specialist decries discrimination after he was called "gweilo” and fired from tunnel project

British specialist decries discrimination after he was called "gweilo” and fired from tunnel project

A British blasting specialist told a Hong Kong court on Monday that he was fired from a tunnel project due to racial discrimination, and said he was called a “gweilo" by colleagues.
Francis Haden brought the discrimination lawsuit against construction company Leighton Contractors (Asia), which had hired him to work on the Tseung Kwan O-Lam Tin Tunnel project. He was dismissed from the post in February 2017.

During the District Court hearing on Monday, Haden accused his former employer of racial discrimination that cost him his job.

The court heard Haden was tasked to be in charge of the blasting work for the construction of the tunnel in August 2016. However, he was excluded from meetings and was bypassed in the chain of command when he was on leave from January 28 to February 12 in 2017.

He said his former employer arranged meetings on days he was off, without providing him the minutes which he should have access to as the person-in-charge.

He added that his former employer even instructed his subordinates to handle the blasting work without notifying him.

However, the respondent said the work procedures were carried out as per usual when Haden was on leave, with his subordinates handling the work during his absence.

The respondent also pointed out that Haden's claim of racial discrimination was groundless, and was only his own assumption.

According to the notice of claim filed, apart from the accusation of being frozen-out at work, Haden said his employment was terminated and he felt unwelcome because he was not Chinese.

“On a number of occasions, the claimant heard references to himself and other non-Chinese working on the project as being ‘gweilo’ in a derogatory sense,” the writ said.

“Gweilo”, which literally means “ghost man”, is a Cantonese slang term for a foreigner.

Haden’s court filing further alleges a “general, underlying hostility towards non-Chinese employees.”

He claims he was shown an email by a colleague which detailed the reluctance of a Chinese state-run engineering firm to hire a non-Chinese-speaking subcontractor, believing it would cause a communication problem.

Haden is now seeking HK$200,000 in compensation for injury to his feelings in addition to the amount that he should have been paid in total since the day he was fired, a written apology, and anti-discrimination training for company staff.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×