Frustrated with Delayed Full and Final Settlement: Should I Report to the Labor Department?

I worked as an RF planner in a private limited company (telecom sector). My last working date was 12th Jan '15. They have given me the relieving letter and FNF sheet. As per my FNF, they have to pay me Rs 25,000/- net, but till now they haven't paid me the said amount. Every time I emailed them or talked to them, they keep telling me that the payment will be done in the next 10 days, but it never happens.

Seeking Advice on Unpaid Dues

Please suggest the way forward. What should I do? Is it okay to complain to the labor department for Rs 25,000? If yes, what is the process to complain to the labor department? Please suggest and explain the full process for filing a complaint with the labor department.

It's been just 2 months since you got relieved, so wait for some more days.

$25,000 is not a small amount, but for that money, don't go to the labor department and spoil the relationship with your employer. If a case is filed, it will take a few months, and you will be wasting your time attending hearings.

A better option is to talk to your employer and settle it amicably.

Sorry, I read Jan 2015 as Jan 2016. It's a very long time, but still the same suggestion. Settle it amicably and don't go to the labor department or court for $25,000. If you don't get it, forget the money (I understand the pain). You need to attend hearings in court or appoint a lawyer for this, and all of these would drain your energy. Instead, put that time to productive use and develop your career.

It's already been a year. Please meet the Labour Commissioner in your city. He will guide you through the process. Let us know how it proceeds. Wish you all the best!

As a matter of principle, the person should take up the matter in writing and legally afterwards. The company cannot avoid paying legal dues. Everyone knows court proceedings are costly, painful, and time-consuming, but when it is a question of someone playing around with your legitimate dues, then as a last resort, do the right thing of going legal after exhausting other avenues.

I always stood for justice. I am also able to understand the pain of Azmi, who has put in his work and rightly deserves this 25,000. But on the other hand, if the person takes it to the labor court, we all know how many hearings he has to attend. If he engages an advocate, then the advocate has to be paid. If the party argues in person, he/she loses productive working hours. Add the stress it consumes. Azmi may get 25,000 with interest + 5,000 towards litigation expenses after 2 years, but he/she would have lost more money by way of notional earnings.

If somebody can assure that Azmi will get the money in 3 months from filing in the labor court, I would say go for it. But we all know how much time it takes. Better settle it amicably or forget it is my suggestion. Instead of wasting time in court, put productive work into a new organization and earn more. Any good lawyer would also suggest the same. Anyway, it's up to the person to decide.