Consultant wins BD7,000 after unlawful dismissal by private firm

TDT | Manama

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A private company has been ordered to pay nearly BD7,000 in wages and compensation to a consultant it unlawfully dismissed, claiming a restaurant project he was hired for had been cancelled.

The High Labour Court ruled in favour of the consultant, who had been working under a fixed-term contract at BD500 per month. Instead of settling his dues, the company terminated his employment without payment.

His lawyer, Eman Al Ansari, told the court that her client had fulfilled his contractual obligations but received no compensation after being let go.

The court rejected the company’s claim that financial difficulties and the project’s cancellation justified his dismissal. It ruled that the firm must pay BD2,000 in unpaid wages, with interest at six per cent per year, increasing by one per cent monthly after six months, up to a maximum of twelve per cent annually.

Additionally, the company was ordered to compensate him BD4,250 f r wrongful termination, BD226 for annual leavedues, B D143 as an end of-service gratuity , and BD83 in lieu of notice. The firm must also provide a return air ticket or its cash equivalent and issue a certificate of employment.

The judge acknowledged that the company had dismissed several other employees due to financial struggles, as confirmed by witness testimony. However, the court made it clear that financial hardship does not exempt an employer from fulfilling contractual obligations.