Facing Pregnancy Complications and Job Loss: How Can We Retrieve My Wife's Certificate and Unpaid Salary?

My wife was employed as a teacher in a school. However, due to certain complications arising from her pregnancy, she was unable to continue the job and had to leave in the middle of the academic year.

Now, the principal is not returning her original certificate. She has also not been paid for the work done in the entire month of October 2014. There was no bond or agreement specifying any conditions regarding the retention of certificates or salary before her appointment.

Original Certificate and Legal Recourse

The original certificate is your property, which you had entrusted to the principal for verification. The employer must have given some acknowledgment of receipt. Failure to return it amounts to an offense under Section 406 IPC. You can serve a notice through a lawyer upon him, and if he does not return it, pursue criminal proceedings. If you do not want to do this, then apply for a duplicate certificate as per the university's procedure.

Regarding One Month's Pay

Please state whether the school is covered by the Shops and Establishment Act or any other education Act.

Salaam, Mr. Yusuf. Your wife is entitled to maternity benefits if she has fulfilled the criteria of attendance as per the provisions of labor laws. You should consult an advocate and send a legal notice to the school authority after verifying the eligibility and other relevant criteria applicable for availing benefits.

Is Mr. Yusuf really aggrieved about maternity benefit issues? If so, could he please elaborate on it in addition to providing the information requested above?

Just yesterday, the Principal returned her original certificate after repeated approaches and requests. However, the salary for the entire month in which she attended the school and worked has not been paid.

If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, feel free to ask.

It's very nice to note that your original certificates have been returned by the employer. Regarding the non-payment of one month's salary, send a notice to the employer. It will be better if you provide information as further requested.