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Local clothing store Zeen employee said to be fired after molestation incident goes viral

Local clothing store Zeen employee said to be fired after molestation incident goes viral

A Zeen customer shared her ordeal on Facebook yesterday, saying the staff didn't cooperate at the time of the incident
11 Jun, 2017

After a woman shared her experience of molestation by an employee of local clothing store Zeen yesterday, social media uproar has resulted in the offender being fired. But is that enough punishment for the molester's crime?

The woman anonymously recounted her story on Facebook page Girls At Dhabas.

— Screengrab: Girls At Dhabas
— Screengrab: Girls At Dhabas

Of the incident, she said that "I was standing with my mother, busy checking out a dress when I felt a hand touch my butt/thigh very firmly, the kind of touch you can't mistake for an accident. I immediately turned around and shouted at the man standing there-- who turned out to be one of the staffers! "Dekh ke chalo, kya kar rahay ho?" [Watch where you're going, what do you think you are doing?], to which he said: "Galti se lag gaya" [It happened by accident]."

She related that the rest of the staff at Zeen did not adequately respond to her complaint against the molester.

"I managed to get out the employee's name -- Najeeb (assuming that is his real name) and learned that he was fasting (!), but aside from that, even though the rest of the staff gathered around us and learned what had happened, no one was willing to give out any information about him, or help us report him to the manager."

"Where my mother and I were expecting the store's staff to be horrified by what had happened, and to assure us that some sort of accountability would be held, they reacted in quite the opposite manner: they kept apologising on his behalf, asking us to let go of the matter, and when we asked for a comments/complaint card or the manager's number or some way to report the harassment, they did not provide anything, and kept assuring us they would forward the complaint themselves.

"When my mother wondered out loud how many girls Najeeb might have harassed before, one of the female staff members answered back with a smile: "Nahi jee, yeh pehli dafa hua hai." [No, this has happened for the first time.]

"This woman, along with the rest of the staff, continued protecting Najeeb and his personal information, despite our persistent demands. We were not even able to learn his full name. Towards they end they had the gall to say: "Ab woh admit kar raha hai ke uss ne kiya tha, toh bass rehne dayn! Hum khud hi kar leyn ge." [Now he's admitting he [made a mistake], so why don't you leave it at that. We will deal with him ourselves]

Also read: I learned 8 self-defence moves to help you protect yourself from assault

She said that after failing to lodge a complaint against the molester at Zeen, she was forced to publicise the matter on Facebook.

"Eventually, my mother and I had no other option but to leave. Even while we were dealing with the store staff, I was-- and still am -- quite traumatised, but the reason I didn't let this matter go, and the reason I am writing this post now is because I don't want this to happen to any other girl, ever, and because I want to call Zeen out for their messed up way of dealing with their customers' complaints -- especially one of such a horrific nature.

"Zeen should take immediate action and fire that employee -- no space should tolerate any kind of harassment to the people who occupy it, especially one which claims to be for women."

Zeen's management responded to their customer's complaint via the comments section of this Facebook post.

Zeen's response — Screengrab: Girls At Dhabas
Zeen's response — Screengrab: Girls At Dhabas

They said that the offender has been fired and the company is taking further steps to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future: "Please be assured that at Zeen, we have a zero tolerance policy regarding such issues. Based on our valued customer's complaint and our investigation through CCTV and speaking with the staff we have immediately fired the staff member you identified (Najeeb). In addition, those staff members that were negligible towards this issue have been reprimanded and will be punished for their negligence towards this matter. Also, we have taken steps to provide a complaint number for customers so such incidents are reported directly to us. We have been conducting regular training sessions with our staff members but will take measures so they know the gravity of the situation and know about the consequences of such behavior."

The incident reinforces the importance of speaking up against harassment and abuse. But it also highlights the need for a more robust justice system that provides easily accessible options and that inspires the confidence of the public. Social media should not be the go-to platform for people to seek justice for crimes committed against them.

Comments

kABEER Jun 11, 2017 01:58pm
y don't the girl called her brother to deal with that guy ! Damn!
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naji Jun 11, 2017 02:06pm
Simply we never visit zeen again. Najeeb or who ever he is must be arrested by law enforcing agencies and punish accordingly. This is normal practice in most of the mall, i have seen myself when young boys in groups, visit busy mall without their ladies family members.
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Jahanzaib Jun 11, 2017 02:07pm
So sad that this is happening in Pakistan. He should be punished.
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bABAR Jun 11, 2017 02:12pm
The entire staff should have been fired for protecting him. Shame of Management for not doing so.
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Maryam Jun 11, 2017 02:45pm
I was sitting in the food court in Dolmen Mall Clifton when I overheard adult men talking with laughter about doing these disgusting things.
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Mani Jun 11, 2017 02:46pm
The strangest part is that the other girls there were protecting the molester. Maybe it's some collective fetish thing.
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Akhtar Jun 11, 2017 02:48pm
There should be strong action from Govt. if there is any.
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ady Jun 11, 2017 02:54pm
Besides posting on Facebook, why didn't you go to police and file a molestation complaint? Why didn't you inform the mall security? Facebook might have helped to highlight the issue but that culprit needs to be sent to jail. You should have slapped him hard the moment he grabbed your thing. Grabbing your thing cannot be accidental. That was a insane question to ask cant you see and walk? Instead slap and ask how darr you grab my respectful property.
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Shahryar Shirazi Jun 11, 2017 02:56pm
Brave girl to bring this up in public domain. Most would keep quite.
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Just someone Jun 11, 2017 02:57pm
@bABAR : I think that what the management has done is very appropriate.
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MKM Jun 11, 2017 03:06pm
Female clothes stores in Pakistan should have only women staffers .... What are male staffers doing in ladies' stores? That will also give good employment to needy women in the country
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umer Jun 11, 2017 03:27pm
you should have called the mall security and reported him... or worse you should have called police there and reported the incident
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Renegade Jun 11, 2017 03:37pm
@kABEER if the girl have no brother then what? its not a bollywood movie
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Amir Jun 11, 2017 03:42pm
I fail to understand why she didn't report this incident to police right there and then instead of being a detective herself? If the guy has done what she is claiming, not doubting her, then it needs to be reported to police. Wondering if she thought about this and felt reporting to police won't help and thus took the direction she has taken here.
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Thoroughthinker Jun 11, 2017 03:56pm
This unfortunately is a normal practice everywhere in crowded shopping places. I have myself seen numerous cases of such deliberate cases of touching ladies inappropriately in crowded shopping centers. There are are several people who have no other business than doing such things, often unknown to the unsuspecting ladies and young. More frequent CCTV camera surveillance and quick response actions are needed to arrest and punish such molesters.
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Maqsood Jun 11, 2017 03:59pm
Request customers to keep distance from Zeen.
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Jun 11, 2017 04:17pm
Kudos to the social media and the enlightened victims with the help of which this serious and alarming issue of customer molestation has not only come to light but also the perpetrator has eventually been fired by the Zeen administration. Well done guys and keep it up.
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Saif zulfiqar Jun 11, 2017 04:26pm
People should bycote ZEEN .
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Talha Jun 11, 2017 04:32pm
@MKM wonderful thought! Should be done ASAP
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Make Pakistan great Jun 11, 2017 04:59pm
The matter should have been reported to the area police by the aggrieved lady. That would have been a real lesson the store owners as well as the staff. I don't think any amount of verbal reprimand has any affect on such type of offenders.
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Muhammad Ashtar Jun 11, 2017 05:09pm
A brave lady she is ! Such molestation in our society always remain unnoticed as people stigmatize victims rather than standing with them. But brave action of the lady is a sign of hope and changing pattern of thinking among weeker segment of our populace . Now one can hope that the culprit will be taken to task by law enforcing authorities.
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Muhammad Waheed Jun 11, 2017 05:29pm
@umer yea police.. say are you talking about They gona say we have other important things to do.. which is nothing
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Imran Jun 11, 2017 06:03pm
You should have lodged a FIR...or Atleast called the dolmen mall security if no one listen to you in store
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H Ather Jun 11, 2017 06:27pm
This is crap family business with zero professionalism no recourse and access to the management Complete boycott is the only solution they would not understand when a financial loss takes the place firing a day wager is nothing it is the mishandling by the manager and he or she should have been fired and personal apology be made
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M. Siddique Jun 11, 2017 06:56pm
@kABEER, Taking the law in your hand means that victim is no longer a victim but becomes a criminal too.
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Jamal Jun 11, 2017 07:20pm
Excellent step by Zeen management. Once it broke on the social media, they promptly fired the employee. Hope he will not be adjusted once the dust settles down.
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MKM Jun 11, 2017 07:31pm
@saif zulfiqar: why boycott Zeen when they have taken action? Such staffers can be found in any store.... They don't come from educated backgrounds and when they start their jobs in higher-end stores their egos become more than inflated All stores should properly educate them at the time of joining abt the norms of decent behaviour (as they don't receive this at home) and keep a close check on their behaviour The best solution is having women-only staff for women ....
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ga Jun 11, 2017 07:32pm
This CCTV footage was not turned over to the police? Zeen is equally negligent. This is clearly a criminal offence.
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Faisal Kalim Jun 11, 2017 07:43pm
I hope that fair investigation is held, and I hope he was fired based on evidence. No room of sympathies for such disgusting people; and strict action should be taken against those harassing women. But investigation into these matters need to be fair.
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azam khan Jun 11, 2017 09:07pm
This is a brave girl, hats off to you beta.
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azam khan Jun 11, 2017 09:08pm
@kABEER She sounds like an educated girl & wouldn't take the law in her hands.
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azam khan Jun 11, 2017 09:14pm
@Maryam, they in fact were welcoming other men to do the same with their mothers, sisters & wives.
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S.A. Hyder, Ph.D. Jun 11, 2017 09:28pm
Reference to the incidence that happened in Portland, Oregon, USA, where two Americans were fatally stabbed by a White Supremacist who verbally molested a women wearing Hijaab. Some one asked if this had happened in Pakistan would there be men who will stand up to the culprit? Most responses were to the effect that first of all no one will do a thing like this and if some one dare he will be adequately dealt with by any man who sees it. My question to those is : How many men in that store dealt with that situation properly?
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Syed Jun 11, 2017 09:28pm
You should have got his ID card and made a copy of it. Next report to the Mall security and local police. It's Eid time and more females would be going to shopping so it's an eye opener for all. Please stay safe and protect yourself.
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Theerror Jun 11, 2017 09:30pm
Problem with teaching
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Ahmer Jun 11, 2017 10:22pm
@KABEER. Maybe she doesn't have a brother. She could've had called the cops. And this Najeeb should be arrested, firing him is not a punishment enough.
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Imran Ahmed Jun 11, 2017 10:22pm
This has always happened in Pakistan. Its excellent that this issue has been raised so that women and girls know that they do not have to suffer in silence.
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Masood Jun 11, 2017 10:39pm
Boycott Zeen Arrest this criminal !
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Rp Jun 11, 2017 11:00pm
Go girl - you are brave! Taking stands like this may be the only wayleft to align this stone-age society with the 21st century!
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Rp Jun 11, 2017 11:04pm
@Amir - I think you answered your own question - if her complaints to the staff did not take her anywhere, how do you think she felt she would fair with police? Are we talking here about a very honest police from a civilized country?
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AAhmed Jun 11, 2017 11:53pm
The inadvertent touching is also unacceptable even to men. If the person had to work in that area he must have warned them by "excuse me." to indicate that he needs to pass or cross the space. Violation of personal space is unethical. One should not just rub their body with other person if there is not enough space. Whatever he was doing should have waited till they were gone. That said, I am wondering why did she initially said, "Dekh ke chalo, kya kar rahay ho?" is an statement that implies initial recognition by her as something that happened (beghair dekhe ) unintentionally. It is not intent to minimize the act, but incident may have exploded into an altercation by his responses and by mother's instinct to protect her daughter, the account may have changed a little bit in reaction of cumulative behavior of the staff. They should have taken the complaint without resistance and assured her of action.
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MANSOOR Jun 12, 2017 12:53am
You should have dragged him out of the store and call out security besides slapping him with your sandals or chappals.
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A Ali Jun 12, 2017 01:39am
the problem is we are discussing this issue / when a brave girl revealed her unfortunate happening at the hands of staff member of zeen... what logic they have in keeping male attendants at ladies apparel outlets... we are discussing it here ... whereas most of our thana / shop keeper culture hardly bother to read these articles... this matter should be reported with relevant thana and he be punished, if guilty.
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saqib ghumman Jun 12, 2017 04:03am
and he was fasting.....
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Bilal Jun 12, 2017 04:48am
He will get another job.. firing is nothing, this is a very disappointing reality of our society. What if the victim was Najeeb''s and defender,'s wife, mother, sister, would they behave the same way.. really shameful, all of them.
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worthless wealth Jun 12, 2017 05:37am
"especially one which claims to be for women." If it is for women, then why male staff! There are well educated women folks belonging to respectable families and are willing to take up jobs with equally respectable organizations! Besides, there are women independently running their own establishments (Beauty parlor, fashion design or dressmaking etc.) with strict discipline and order to serve their customers! By the way, who these present lot of workers are and what is so special about them?
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Rizwan Hamid- USA Jun 12, 2017 06:51am
When you segregate the sexes in your society, this will always happen. When boys and girls cannot even interact, a desire based on our genetics as well as every other living creature, then imbalance is created. When this is fixed, 98% of such vile behavior, physical or verbal with disappear. It's all up to you.
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Mian Amir Hakim Jun 12, 2017 09:36am
The girl and her mother deserve a heroic applause. They took a principled stand in a very uncomfortable situation and that too more for the cause of other lady customers. So that the same does not happen any more to any other girl. God knows how many such incidents have remained unreported for lack of courage and other reasons. While our culture is not going to change easily. The girls should be educated at home about their rights. They should not be shy in denouncing such behaviors in public and reporting them.
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Ansa Jun 12, 2017 10:19am
Thank God! I have never visited zeen so far and after this, never plan to do so in future too. This guy should have been taken to the police or Mall security atleast.
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Nadeem Jun 12, 2017 10:51am
All womens & girls must stay away, from zeen. Infact all staff including their manajor are togather and behind the cloth business they are doing somthing else! ???
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