Bosch rubbishes lawsuit led by Indian employee Kamath

Bosch, the German engineering multinational, has dismissed as "mischaracterisation of the facts" the allegations levelled against it in a lawsuit by Indian employee Suraj Kamath of discrimination against staff who are not US citizens.

A Bosch spokesperson said in Washington on Thursday that as an employer, the firm is fair and abides by the legal requirements in all countries.

Kamath, who was working for Bosch's US subsidiary, has filed a class action suit against the company alleging harassment over tax refunds.

"We would like to state that the plaintiffs' charges are a mischaracterization of the facts. Bosch has acted in a lawful manner and we are confident in our position," the company spokesperson Cheryl Kilborn said, two days after Kamath filed his lawsuit in a Los Angeles federal court.

Seeking heavy damages, Kamath has charged that Bosch unjustly enriched itself by requiring all its non-US citizen employees to pay to Bosch federal and state tax refunds they had received while working in the US. It is estimated that over 160 persons are part of the class action suit.

"We are aware of this issue. It is premature for us to share further details as a lawsuit has been filed," Kilborn said.

"We reassure our stakeholders, including our valued associates, that the company has and will act fairly. As an employer, Bosch is fair and abides by the legal requirements in all countries. We ensure equal opportunities for our employees worldwide," said the Bosch spokesperson.