Billionaire entrepreneur Jeff Bezos is being sued by a former housekeeper for alleged racial discrimination. According to The Daily Beast, the lawsuit filed by Mercedes Wedaa, a Latine woman, wants to be compensated for Bezos allegedly having her work in unsafe conditions and violating labor laws by favoring white employees. Wedaa claims Bezos retaliated against her after she came forward with her allegations.
“The illegal acts committed by Defendants caused [Wedaa] to suffer economic and non-economic damages, including but not limited to damages for past and future wage and benefits loss, emotional pain, suffering, inconvenience, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment in life, and other nonpecuniary losses,” the lawsuit reads. “Damages amounts will be proved at court.”
According to Wedaa, Bezos allegedly made her work long hours without eating or bathroom breaks, which resulted in her developing a urinary tract infection. She states that the only way she could use the bathroom was if she climbed through a window and snuck into the laundry room where there was a toilet.
The lawsuit also claims that during her nearly three-year employment, all of Wedaa’s managers were white and were demeaning to Wedaa and other Latine employees. She states that she reported the alleged abusive behavior, which led to her losing her position as lead housekeeper.
“[Wedaa]…complained to the property manager…that she was being retaliated against because she had complained about no breaks, unsafe work conditions, and about undocumented workers,” the lawsuit states.
In a statement, Bezos’ attorney said that Wedaa’s allegations “lack merit.”
Earlier this year, Kim Kardashian was hit with a lawsuit by a group of her gardeners and maintenance workers. They alleged Kardashian withheld 10% of their wages for taxes without reporting it to the IRS, failed to pay them overtime, and did not provide them breaks.