Delivery Rider Working Nearly 12 Hours a Day Allegedly Fired for Raising Questions; 18 Days’ Salary Withheld
“Fired for Speaking Up Against Exploitation” — Alleged Victim from Qayyumabad Outlet Raises Questions Over Timely Salary Payments and Unexplained Deductions
A former employee of *Kababjees’ Qayyumabad outlet, one of Pakistan’s well-known food chains, has levelled serious allegations concerning employees’ rights, timely payment of salaries, and alleged unfair deductions. According to the affected employee, raising questions with the management regarding employees’ issues allegedly cost him his job, while his *18 days of outstanding salary were also allegedly withheld.
According to the former employee, he worked as a delivery rider from *6:00 PM until Fajr, effectively performing nearly 12 hours of duty, for a monthly salary of *Rs. 35,000.
He further stated that while he was on duty, his mobile phone was snatched during a robbery on Korangi Road. According to him, the company provided him with no financial or administrative assistance following the incident. He claimed that purchasing a replacement mobile phone consumed nearly half of his salary.
The employee further alleged that, later, the cost of a parcel stolen from the delivery counter was also deducted from his salary. He questioned the management as to why he should bear the financial burden of a loss that, according to him, was not his fault. However, he claimed that the manager did not pay heed to his request.
The former employee alleged that after an argument with the manager and raising his voice over what he considered unfair treatment, he was terminated from his job.
He said that when he subsequently went to collect his salary on the scheduled payment date, he was told that his salary had *not been received from the head office. As a result, he claims that his *18 days’ salary remains unpaid.
What Does the Law Say?
The Sindh Shops and Commercial Establishment Act contains provisions relating to the payment of wages, while the Sindh Payment of Wages Act provides a legal framework concerning the timely payment of employees’ wages.
Under the applicable Sindh legal framework, in cases where an employee’s employment is terminated, earned wages and other payable dues are required to be paid within the prescribed legal timeframe. Similarly, legal avenues are available to employees in cases involving unlawful delays, withholding of wages, or unauthorized deductions.
Questions Over Protection of Workers’ Rights
The incident has once again raised questions about the protection of low-paid private-sector workers in Karachi.
If an employee is denied wages legally owed to him, faces salary deductions without a clear and lawful basis, or is terminated merely for raising questions about his employment rights, the matter goes beyond an individual employment dispute. It raises broader questions about the enforcement of labour laws and the effectiveness of institutional oversight.
The allegations made by the former employee warrant an impartial review by the relevant labour authorities. The concerned authorities should examine the employee’s claims, obtain the management’s position, and determine whether any labour laws or wage regulations have been violated.
