Employer’s revenge: Workers on the edge

Manama : Not even in their wildest dreams did a group of three expats imagine that quitting their jobs in order to find better ones would face such misery. 

They thought it was only a normal practice to improve careers. 

Unfortunately their employer did not share the same thought.

A few months ago…

All this began when the employees decided to resign from a construction company. 

However the company allegedly forged their work contracts to prevent their visa from getting transferred to new employers. 

And it just didn’t end there. 

One of the victims Osama filed a case at the Labour Court and has notified the Labour Market Regulatory Authorit (LMRA) as well. However that did not change anything. 

“They have different businesses, and they used one of their businesses to block us," Osama told DT News.

“They transferred our visas to one of their businesses by submitting forged employment contracts to the LMRA. 

“Now we are technically employees of that  business. This is strange because we never agreed to it.”

New jobs

After quitting, they managed to find new jobs, but to no avail! 

“We found new jobs. However due to these complications we could not join there. 

“The company is trying to teach us a lesson and show everyone that if they resign, they could face these sort of consequences,” Osama said.

The story of Abdul Rehman is not different

“I came to Bahrain to provide for my family and I worked hard for that," he said.

“I have always been a good employee with an excellent reputation within the company.”

As a certified Chartered Accountant, Rehman thought finding a new job would improve his financial status.  

Hence he resigned on September 15 and continued to work until October as per the notice period.

Surprise!

Eventually he found that his visa was transferred to another company owned by the same employer which meant he had to work there for another year.  

He approached the LMRA for advice since he claims he never signed such a contract. 

“The LMRA gave me the document submitted on my behalf. The signatures were forged!”

Rehman filed a case accusing the company of forgery and  passport confiscation.  

“I want the authorities to look into the matter and close any loopholes that exist in the system. I have all the details and evidences to support my case.”

The response

Pakistan Embassy Community Welfare Attache Maqsood Qader Shah said that the embassy had already contacted the LMRA. 

“We are providing all assistance they require,” he confirmed. 

The official also clarified that the employees were "victims".

“There is nothing to suggest that they broke the rules," he said.