GREELEY — State and federal civil-rights officials are investigating claims that Somali workers at the JBS Swift Beef Co. meatpacking plant were mistreated.
Complaints have been filed with state officials and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, said Steve Chavez, director of the Colorado Civil Rights Division.
Chavez met with Somalis in Greeley last week. He said federal officials are taking the lead on the investigation.
EEOC officials declined to comment.
Concerns surfaced last year after JBS managers refused to let late-shift Somalis pray at sunset during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Workers walked off the job, and more than 100 were fired. Somali workers have since claimed ongoing issues with their Latino supervisors, Chavez said.
“They believe they were treated differently because they were Somalis,” he said.
JBS spokesman Chandler Keys said the company has attempted to accommodate religious practices by installing foot washes in locker rooms for foot-cleansing prior to prayer and bidet-type spray devices on toilets to assist with cleansing after using the rest room.
Keys would not discuss the complaints or the investigation. He said company officials “are in discussions” with Somalis regarding Ramadan this year.
“It’s an ongoing, flowing information dialogue that’s going to keep us on our toes in working with these people,” he said.
Bruce Finley: 303-954-1700 or bfinley@denverpost.com
