EEOC sues JBS over alleged harassment of Muslim workers at meatpacking plants in Colo., Neb.

EEOC sues JBS, says Muslim Somalis mistreated

DENVER — Federal officials say Muslim Somali workers were denied prayer time and faced harrassment and termination at two JBS Swift & Co. meatpacking plants in Colorado and Nebraska.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission made the allegations in lawsuits filed late Monday in U.S. District Court in Denver and in Omaha. Both complaints allege the harrassment included Muslim workers being called names and having meat and bones thrown at them by coworkers and managers.

EEOC attorneys allege that JBS Swift retaliated against employees by terminating their employment when they asked for accomodations during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Swift officials didn’t immediately return messages.