Social Media Influencer's Company Ordered to Pay Former Intern BD1,100 in Back Wages and Damages
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
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The High Labour Court has ruled in favour of a young man who sued a local advertising company, run by a prominent social media influencer, for unpaid wages and breach of contract. The company, whose commercial registration was found to be inactive, failed to appear in court.
The plaintiff, a video editor who began a three-month internship in September 2022, alleged that the company, despite extending his internship, failed to provide him with a formal contract or pay his wages. Initially offered a training stipend of 150 Bahraini dinars, the intern later negotiated a monthly salary of 200 Bahraini dinars. However, no formal contract reflecting this agreement was ever issued.
According to the plaintiff's lawyer, Taqi Hussain, his client ceased work after repeated attempts to obtain his back pay proved unsuccessful. The discovery that the company's commercial registration was cancelled further fueled his decision to pursue legal action.
The court, citing Article 46 of the Private Sector Labour Law, which states that an employer's obligation to pay wages is not fulfilled unless the employee signs a receipt or the payment is transferred to their bank account, ruled in the plaintiff's favour. The court's decision was based on the company's failure to appear in court, provide proof of payment, or offer any defense.
The court ordered the company to pay the plaintiff 600 Bahraini dinars in back wages for three months of work, plus interest at a rate of 6% per annum for the six-month delay, with an additional 1% added for each subsequent month of delay, up to a maximum of 12% annually.
The plaintiff, a video editor who began a three-month internship in September 2022, alleged that the company, despite extending his internship, failed to provide him with a formal contract or pay his wages. Initially offered a training stipend of 150 Bahraini dinars, the intern later negotiated a monthly salary of 200 Bahraini dinars. However, no formal contract reflecting this agreement was ever issued.
According to the plaintiff's lawyer, Taqi Hussain, his client ceased work after repeated attempts to obtain his back pay proved unsuccessful. The discovery that the company's commercial registration was cancelled further fueled his decision to pursue legal action.
The court, citing Article 46 of the Private Sector Labour Law, which states that an employer's obligation to pay wages is not fulfilled unless the employee signs a receipt or the payment is transferred to their bank account, ruled in the plaintiff's favour. The court's decision was based on the company's failure to appear in court, provide proof of payment, or offer any defense.
The court ordered the company to pay the plaintiff 600 Bahraini dinars in back wages for three months of work, plus interest at a rate of 6% per annum for the six-month delay, with an additional 1% added for each subsequent month of delay, up to a maximum of 12% annually.
The court also awarded the plaintiff 500 Bahraini dinars in court fees, expenses, and legal costs, bringing the total awarded to approximately BD1100.
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