₦airaland Forum

Good Morning All
I represent a company in eastern Nigeria as a service engineer and I was given tools given for the job.
Our agreement was either of us can terminate the contract with one month notice.

Due to economic situation, they ended the contract with one month notice. Now they require me to submit all tools, but never pay me for last three months. What is your advice.
I mentioned it to them that I be bringing it this month, but what about accrued payment.
He just said please go meet Mr so and so.
He is waiting for me.
I then reply that he did not mention about payment. Now,
Is it wise to return all the tools, when they never pay me
What happened was that we are two staff, the other
Person on daily contract but I am annual contract
They started using only other person, putting him only on work schedule but my own whether work or no work must be paid. I asked them severally, why I am not on schedule ,they said the job is small. Later no schedule for both us but they will call him on phone for jobs.
Then, I asked why, that, is there any problem. They said no
Since I asked, no more schedule for both of us, but calling the other person at the back.
So I stop asking, knowing they said no issue. My salary stop, no information.
Until they send termination of contract with one month notice
Two month, they never pay plus month of notice .
Payment day 15th of every month
So I told them, I will bring the tools 16 or 17 next month
What is your advice
I ask them about all accumulated payment. They said it will done
Now if should wait till and no payment
Should I return their tools
Our agreement does not state to that salary will be held until tools was return, now three months.
Kindly advise house
Thanks

Flip the script. Change the subject matter to the payment of your salaries. Be the one leading the conversation of your engagement with them, it should all be about you salary.
The conversation about return of tools will come up so know what you want. What proposal best suites you and can easily be enforced. Possible scenarios are 1) Return the tools and we will pay you immediately. 2) Return the tools and we will pay you later. 3) Return the tools and we will give you a written note (promissory note) on when to pay you. 4) Retutn the tools and get a posted dated Cheque 5) They get you arrested for confiscating their property and have you detained (intimidation)
Your approach should be based on the amount involved and how much trouble you’re ready to go through.
My advice.
1) KEEP ALL DOCUMENTATION INTACT , CLEAR. LIMIT VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS WITH THEM, DO MORE OF EMAILS, WHATSAPP. VOICE CONVERSATIONS SHOULD BE RECORDED.
2) If the overall boss is a man of integrity you can use diplomacy, boycott all channels of communication and reach out to him. But be careful even this should be recorded.
3)if tensions are getting high with the people your talking with right now, approach a police station and make a deposition. This will provide some kind of cover for you in case of any violent dimension.
4) Get a lawyer to write them
NB: Let them know that you don’t have the financial means to sustain yourself if the salaries are not paid to you. Make e no look like say na wicked you just wan wicked.

Thanks I have send mail emphasizing outstanding payment to be done, for me to have fund before the date of tools return

ONYEKAfra:
Thanks I have send mail emphasizing outstanding payment to be done, for me to have fund before the date of tools return

Good

They told me payment will be done after handover.
June, July and August as notice period.
Do you think it is wise submit the tools.
At least, not in agreement