Keralite fired from Gulf job over insensitive comments about flood victims

Abu Dhabi - He later apologised for his behavior.

A Keralite expat based in Oman got fired from his job on Sunday after he posted insensitive comments about the flood victims in the South Indian state, Khaleej Times has learnt.
Rahul Cheru Palayattu, a cashier working in the Lulu Group International' Oman branch had made fun of the sanitary needs of the flood victims while commenting on a Facebook post put up by volunteers on the ground.
"This is to inform that we have terminated your service with immediate effect because of your highly insensitive and derogatory comments on social media with regard to current flood situation in Kerala, India," read his termination letter signed by Lulu's HR manager in Oman.

After facing backlash on social media, Rahul posted a video on Facebook on Sunday publicly apologizing for his behavior. "I am really sorry for what I did. I was in an inebriated state when I posted that message. At that time I did not know what I did was a grave mistake," Rahul said in the video.
But his apology flew in the face of enraged Keralites who are battling the worst floods in a century. More than 370 people have been reported dead so far and half a million displaced after torrential rains and flooding submerged many of its districts.
V, Nandakumar, CCO of LuLu Group told Khaleej Times, the organization "took immediate steps to terminate his services and send out a very loud and clear message to the society about our stance in such issues."
"We as an organization have always stood for humanitarian values and highest ethical practices," he added.
Indian billionaire Yousuf Ali has so far donated Dh9.23 million for relief and rehabilitation in Kerala.
anjana@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Abu Dhabi
• Oman