Comments on: Workers trapped by spiteful bosses

By: understudy

understudy — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 09:21:55 +0000

I am with you in your sentiments. I just got my passport through Court order. I fought for my passport for almost 3 weeks. Without my idea, while I was fighting for my passport in Court, my employer filed a travel ban against me. He also filed a labor case against me for breach of contract. He said in his affidavit that I can travel once I pay 2850BD for all the expenses he made for me. Where will I get this amount? I am jobless now and just staying with a fellow Filipino.

I know that my employer is only vengeful, not really about the expenses because I have served at least 6 months with him, not to mention the poor living condition, no salary increase and he was only making excuses for not giving any housing allowance and salary increase.

What will happen to me now? I don’t know. I don’t even have money to hire a lawyer to defend me.

By: wolverine

wolverine — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:49:10 +0000

The complaints here are abosolutely true. Even me, My husband is with one of the biggest construction company here in Bahrain and yet his passport and even our passports (me and my son) are all in his employers custody since according to them, our visa is family visa. I thought it was already a law that passports should not be confiscated by employers? Imagine, a very big company with thousands of employees and still not following this rule or this law? Hope LMRA will check companies or will put a call center where an expat or whoever that was violated by employers can call and complain and a quick action will be given. Thank you.

By: Ali M

Ali M — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:47:49 +0000

This is with regards to the news article in the gdn about the rejection of the job switching bill by the Shura council. Anyone read it?. Mr.Khalid Al Maskati’s views are understandable, that the employee should be able to leave his employer if he is willing to pay the penalty and that a system should not block this switching if the employer consents to the switching. But to reject the bill totally, out of fear of the system would be unfair to employers. Instead the bill should be amended to include these views if needed.

I believe it is not unconstitutional for one to fulfil promises and to pay the compensation if they do not fulfil their promises. Comparing with the system in Dubai- the fastest growing city in the world and also another Arab city from the middle east, the system here in Bahrain is much more lenient and very much favourable to employees. In Dubai, an employee can get banned from working for minimum 6 months if they leave the employer. And the employer can extend this working ban to 2years to ensure that the employee does not become of much immediate use to a rival. Whereas here in Bahrain, employees leave the company saying they are leaving Bahrain for good and then come and join a rival company within the same month. Employers do not bother to file cases most of the time and hence this unfair practice flourishes. In Dubai, an employer can easily stop an employee from joining a rival employer for at least 6months as the hassle involved in invoking this ban is less there. This encourages loyal and more hard working people to prosper, but also helps them to get out of their present employment if they find it unbearable.

I feel that any law made should be fair and just to both employers and employees. And I also feel that no law should encourage unethical practices like breaching of contracts and breaking of promises, whether it be by foreigner or national.

By: Just

Just — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:29:09 +0000

So, now what this means is that the employees can promise to stay for a particular duration of time, make the employers ride on this promise and finally break this promise because they get a better oppurtiunity?

Instead of being selfish and just thinking about yourself, think about the employer’s situation.

Just look at the previous message from leg.. Is that really fair? In other parts of the world it is called “Breach of Contract” If you promise something, follow it through. If you are not sure you will be able to fulfill your promises, or if you think you are much more worth than the offer given to you, dont join, dont make false promises.

And I am sure the lmra officials know about the numerous number of rogue employees who are misusing this law and other lmra benefits to falsely accuse employers. Finally, even when it is proved they are lying, nothing much is done on them. The greater loss is always for the employer.

But if an employer does not live up to his/her promises, his/her side of the bargain, then that is a different case.

Please be fair, be just.

By: Satish

Satish — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:16:12 +0000

Sir,

Now iam working ina a comapny with a vlaid visa from 9 months. Now I got a better offer with my eductaion. My sponsor firstly told me to give the expense money for visa and give NOC and release. more than one month I wait. lat my sponsor changed the mind and forced me to signed an agreeement from me before the contracting period I wil try to get other job pay 800 BD and take Ticket in my own expense and cancell the visa. This agreement made in white paper is it valid against me. please give me a reply