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Christian Dior slapped with discrimination suit
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Posted on Jan 10 2001
A former manager of the upscale Christian Dior boutique at the DFS Galleria yesterday filed a damage suit in the U.S. District Court against its franchise holder on Saipan, accusing the company of discrimination.
Elsa T. Edgar, a U.S. citizen of Filipino descent, alleged that Christian Dior Saipan, Ltd. offered higher wages to its Japanese employees than Filipino or Chamorro origin with similar positions in sales.
Ms. Edgar was a boutique manager from June 1996 until her termination in February 1998 which she claimed had without notice and cause.
In late 1997, she informed her supervisor that she had learned that sales associates of Filipino and Chamorro descent were earning less wages that similarly situated sales associates of Japanese origin, according to the complaint.
Then, in January 1998, she sent to her supervisor at the managing office of the company in Japan a copy of a complaint by one Filipino sales associate charging Christian Dior of discriminatory payment practices.
A month later, Ms. Edgar was fired and the company refused to specify the reasons for her termination, she said in her complaint, adding the position of the boutique manager was filled by a male Caucasian.
Ms. Edgar, who has no attorney to represent her in the case, sued for damages, including economic loss, emotional and psychological pain and suffering, as well as humiliation and mental anguish. She, however, did not specify any amount.
