Salary row 16 win legal battle

GDN: SIXTEEN Indian labourers, who filed a case against their employer for not paying their salaries, have won a legal battle.

The Labour Court yesterday ordered Corus Building Construction Company to pay the men BD275 each.

The Maha Jaber law firm took out the case 18 months ago when the workers approached them claiming they had not been paid for three months.

"These poor workers approached us when the company ignored their plight and refused to pay their three months' pending salary," said lawyer Latheesh Bharathan.

"We took up the matter, filed a case against the company and provided legal documents to the court.

"Meanwhile, all the workers left Bahrain, but left power of attorney with us.

"The company will have to pay an accumulative amount of BD4,400 to all 16 workers.

"We have informed the workers about the verdict and they are really happy about it."

Mr Bharathan said the law firm was keen to take on such cases.

"When workers have no other option they come to us and we try to pull out as much information as we can about the workers and the company.

"We then file a case against the company and keep sending them reminders about the court dates."

Mr Bharathan said the labourers would receive the money through the Indian Embassy.

"We will hand over the money to the embassy, who will send the money to the workers," he said.