Facing Unpaid Salaries and Legal Documents: Should I Sign or Fight for My Dues?

My company did not pay salaries to its employees for a full year due to some financial troubles. I cooperated and worked without a salary for around 14 months. They also did not deposit PF.

Now, the company is processing our settlement and paying salaries for only six months. They also want us to sign certain documents in which we will not be able to raise any claims afterwards and would bind us from entering any litigation with the company.

Question About Claiming Extra Dues

Can I stake a claim for extra dues after they provide my settlement? The company wants me to stay informed and involved in certain company litigation matters with the government by making me sign certain documents. Should I sign these documents? I will receive my dues only after signing documents like this.

I don't know what I should do.

It is better to get the settlement if possible, but don't sign any company litigation-related documents because there could be many legal issues with such types of companies. If it is required, then obtain the opinion of a leading company lawyer from outside and sign; failing which, you may have to face consequences.

If they are not ready to pay your dues, it is better to approach the local labor department, but don't accept any legal responsibilities.

Regards,
Kamesh

I understand you should not indulge in litigations, but in my view, you should sign a paper of payment only for whatever you are getting. You can claim 14 months' wages under the Payment of Wages Act.

I have some doubts:

1. I do not understand how anyone can work without any payment for 14 months.
2. Why were you silent for the last 14 months?

Regards

You can sign any paper and take a salary for 6 months. Then you can claim the remaining 6 months' salary, saying that the management has taken your signature by threatening you. As a result, you signed to receive the 6 months' salary by informing the Labour Dept. Authorities.

Regards,
D. Gurumurthy
HR/IR Consultant

Advice on Handling Unpaid Wages and Legal Documents

I understand you should not indulge in litigations, but in my view, you should sign papers for payment only for whatever you are getting. You can claim 14 months' wages under the Payment of Wages Act.

I fully endorse the above views. Take whatever is offered and then fight for the remainder; otherwise, we do not know when the litigation would end.

Regards,

Seeking Advice on Unpaid Salaries and Document Signing

Don't sign any documents. Just go to the labor inspector and tell them all the details. Request anonymity as well. Definitely, you will find a way out. But don't you realize how it's possible to do the job without pay?