Companies must bear hiring charges

Question: Our company is deducting QR400 from the employees’ salaries, although according to the Labour Law employers are not allowed to deduct anything from their employees’ salaries, except if the employee has taken an advance payment. The company does not give pay slips and the only thing we have is a copy of the contract and the statement of account where the company transfers the salary every month. I had various correspondences too in this regard. The deduction is against recruitment expenses in Manila. The company said it would finish such deduction after 18 months. What should I do regarding this?

Answer: 

All recruitment expenses should be borne by the employer. The employer does not have the right to charge the worker any amount to cover such expenses. If the issue is not settled mutually, the worker can file a complaint with the Department of Labour submitting all related correspondence. The Department will then summon the company to settle it amicably. If that too fails, the dispute may be referred to a court. In such cases, the worker should not be hesitant or fear any penalty. The situation of the worker is justified and any penalty shall be against the employer for violating the law.