Former General Manager Acquitted of Embezzlement, Awarded BD 18,000 in Back Pay

TDT | Manama

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A former general manager accused of embezzling 300,000 Bahraini dinars worth of goods from his former employer has been acquitted and awarded 18,000 Bahraini dinars in compensation.

The company had dismissed the general manager and filed a criminal complaint, alleging significant inventory discrepancies. However, the Public Prosecution dismissed the criminal case due to insufficient evidence.

The former general manager subsequently filed a labour lawsuit, claiming wrongful termination and fabrication of the embezzlement charges to avoid paying his dues. His lawyer, Siddiqa Al Mawali, argued that the company's termination of his employment contract, after six years of service at a monthly salary of 2,300 Bahraini dinars plus a 740 Bahraini dinars allowance, lacked legal justification and prior notice.

The company's witness testified that inventory discrepancies led to the dismissal of several employees, including the general manager. However, Al Mawali successfully countered this testimony, arguing that its credibility was undermined by the Public Prosecution's dismissal of the criminal case. She asserted that the company failed to provide concrete evidence supporting its claims of embezzlement and lawful termination.

The High Labour Court initially suspended the lawsuit pending the outcome of the criminal case. However, following the dismissal of the criminal charges, the Court of Cassation ordered a retrial of the labour case.

The court ultimately ruled in favour of the former general manager, ordering the company to pay 3,040 Bahraini dinars in notice compensation, 2,889 Bahraini dinars in annual leave allowance, 12,000 Bahraini dinars as end-of-service gratuity, and an additional 50 Bahraini dinars in legal fees, along with the return of his travel ticket. The total compensation awarded amounts to 18,000 Bahraini dinars.