Filipino Worker Loses Job For Not Using Toilet "The Australian Way"

Originally published on GroundReport.com, the citizen journalism platform that covers world news from the ground.

QUEENSLAND - A Filipino contract worker lost his job Friday January 23 for not using the toilet "the Australian way".

Amador Bernabe, 43, works as a machine operator for Townsville Engineering Industries (TEI). Bernabe claims that on Thursday, his foreman followed him into the bathroom questioning his toilet hygiene after seeing him (Bernabe) carry a bottled water inside the toilet.

Despite Bernabe's protests, he claims the foreman followed him into the toilet saying "you can't bring water in there".

"I said it's my personal hygiene. I didn't break any law, I didn't break any rules of the company, why can't I do this, and he said he would report me to the manager.", Bernabe said.

Bernabe was summoned to the manager's office the next day where he was admonished to use the toilet the "Australian way" or he would be immediately terminated. Bernabe, seeing nothing wrong with his toilet habits, replied "sir, then you better terminate me".

The incident, happening on Australia Day, drew criticisms from union bosses and politicians across Australia.

Greens spokeswoman Jenny Stirling praised Mr. Bernabe for standing up for his rights.

"I commend the man for standing up for himself and I encourage the employer to have further talks with the union and the employee and I am sure commonsense will prevail," she said.

"I would like to see how Australians feel when they go to Europe where in places they don't have toilet paper."

Go to GroundReport.com for more coverage from the Philippines. GroundReport is a citizen journalism platform that allows anyone to publish global news and earn money.

Comments

[TXfemmom]

Well, I do hope the gentleman washed his hands after doing it the Filipino way. My son worked in China for a large U. S. company for a while, and they had Chinese engineers and interpretors in the office. The head boss just about had a stroke time and time again when he entered the bathroom and found foot prints on the commode seats. Paper covers were provided for sanitary reasons, and they had a very polite meeting explaining to the Chinese staff that squatting on top of Western commodes was a distinct no-no. Finally, he flew out of the toilet totally aggravated at finding foot prints, dirty ones, and a soiled toilet seat due to the squatting and use of the facility. He threatened to have FOOT PRINTS ANALYZED and never found the foot prints or soiling ever again.

[LeftRight]

I spent some time in Australia when I was in the US Navy. The impression that I got was that it was like the USA, only cleaner and with nicer people. Now I understand that what I saw was merely the facade over the fascism that is present in most of the European colonies!