Over 140 workers of SMB Computers, shut down recently for being linked to the alleged smuggling of nuclear materials, face an uncertain future.
The stranded employees, mostly qualified IT professionals, said they are going through tremendous mental stress after being left jobless. They have not been paid since March 1.
Policemen on vigil outside the premises of SMB Computers in Bur Dubai yesterday. ©Gulf News |
He said that employees who were paid housing allowances through the company bank accounts have had their cheques dishonoured and their landlords are asking them to vacate their homes immediately.
One employee said the company has been making profit in the past few years, with its annual turnover hovering around the Dh250 million mark.
The staffers said they do not know what to do or where to go to get their problem solved.
"We have approached the Jebel Ali Free Zone, which is the sponsor of 54 workers. Officials there said they are investigating the matter and the status of the workers will be determined this month. They have not given a date," said one employee.
However, Jebel Ali Free Zone officials have assured the workers they will cancel their visas without a ban and each will be paid one and a half months salary and one-way airfare. They said workers will be asked to leave for home within a week from the cancellation date.
A Jebel Ali official said workers who can find other sponsors may take up new jobs and the remaining workers can retain lawyers to get their end-of-service benefits paid or come back to the UAE on other visas to take up the matter with the authorities.
An employee said those of his colleagues who have their families here are facing even more stress as they are running out of money and the new academic year started last week.
Low salaried workers including drivers and office boys complained they are living in cramped conditions. Some workers have recently joined the company on visit visas which have already expired.
Ninety eight workers from the firm have complained at the Dubai labour office, but they were told the matter is being dealt with by the CID.
Labour officials said they can only cancel the workers' visas when investigation into the case is finished and when passports and labour cards are submitted to the ministry.
"Qualified workers can have their sponsorships transferred and their dispute with the employer over dues will be forwarded to the court," an official said. "Unskilled workers who have no dues will be sent home. Their travel expenses will be deducted from the firm's bank guarantee. If it is insufficient, the charges will be borne by the UAE government.
The employees said their passports and degree certificates are with the company's Dubai office, which was sealed off by the police. They added they feel they were duped as the management knew this was going to happen months before.
CRACKDOWN
Result of stringent finance law
• The UAE Central Bank recently froze accounts of the Dubai-based SMB Computers in which Sri Lankan businessman Syed Tahir Al Bokhari is involved and is suspected of having a financial interest.
• The decision was announced at an IMF-backed gathering in Abu Dhabi on money laundering and investigations being carried out by the Central Bank, the Dubai Public Prosecutor's Office and some local agencies. The Dubai public prosecutor is expected to announce the results of the investigation soon.
• Bokhari is said to be in protective custody of his wifein Malaysia where she has influential links. Sources said authorities shut down the entire operations of SMB Computers on March 14 this year, as well as those of its other group IT subsidiaries, some of which have allegedly been used to transfer nuclear materials from Pakistan to Iran and Libya.
• Labour department officials have assured the firm's workers that they will be exempted from any fine related to labour cards.
