“We were aware of our job profiles, primarily as card dealers and online gaming conductors, but we were completely unaware that these activities were illegal. This crucial information was not disclosed to us during our hiring process or in our employment contracts.” Said one employee
More than 40 employees of Everest Business Concepts Private Limited, headquartered in Gangtok with a parent company in Haridwar, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, expressed grave concerns on company management over terminations and salary denials.
Addressing a presser at Gangtok today, the employees alleged that the company had engaged in unethical practices. “The company operated for two years until August 21 when it was raided by Sikkim Police under suspicion of running online gaming and gambling operations. While the authorities seized goods and belongings, no arrests were made. Notably, the company had obtained a license from the State Urban Development Department, which was renewed twice by the state.” Said one employee
“We were aware of our job profiles, primarily as card dealers and online gaming conductors, but we were completely unaware that these activities were illegal. This crucial information was not disclosed to us during our hiring process or in our employment contracts.” Said one employee
“The termination, which occurred on August 22, was initially accompanied by promises that the company would reopen on August 31. However, this promise was left unfulfilled, and when the employees demanded three months’ worth of salaries as per the company’s rules or a lump sum payment for all three months, the company refused to engage in dialogue.” Said another employee
Some employees resorted to filing a general diary with the Sadar Police Station in Gangtok on September 14, but this has not resulted in any resolution. One employee explained, “The company insists on making payments on a salary basis, but with no employees left, this approach seems misleading. We did not agree with the new agreement, which was crafted without consulting us. We were forbidden from speaking to third parties, filing complaints with the police, or pursuing legal action.”
The employees asserted, “The company owners are inaccessible, claiming they are unable to come. If the company no longer exists, why should they continue to pay us on a salary basis? Many of us were expecting promotions, salary hikes, and Diwali bonuses in the upcoming months. If they wish to follow company procedures, we will do the same by engaging legal representation and working on a mutually agreed-upon resolution.”
Further the employees also revealed that some employees were individually approached and coerced into agreeing to the new terms, with approximately 10 of them ultimately signing the agreement. “The company told the old employees that nothing could be done, urging us to find other employment or seek assistance from the government. Some of us are college graduates, some have family dependent on our salaries, and others are still students. We were promised a brighter future, but instead, we were terminated verbally through a WhatsApp group, without receiving any official termination letters.”
Following to which, the employees have issued a demand for their salaries to be paid in full within the next 10 days, as per their initial request. If payments are made in instalments, they are also demanding monthly appraisals and festive bonuses. The last salary received by the employees was for the month of August. “We remain hopeful that this matter will be resolved through dialogue, or else we will take legal action,” concluded the employees.
Sikkim Chronicle reached out to the company management on September 19 after the complaint was filed against management at Sadar police station by the employees. The management issued a statement, which stated that,
“The Company was running its operations from a studio situated in Sikkim on the basis of a valid trade license issued by the State Government of Sikkim. However, on account of certain legal misunderstandings which are currently being resolved, the trade license of the Company came to be provisionally suspended by the Government of Sikkim. Consequently, the operations of the Company have been paused since the suspension of the trade license in the month of August 2023.”
“On account of the legal issues being faced by the Company, the Company was constrained to shut down its operations and had to abruptly lay off its employees, including the Employee, after the payment of salaries to the employees for the month of August 2023. Disputes between the Company and the Employee arose subsequently based on which a police complaint was also filed jointly by the former employees of the Company, including the Employee.” Added the statement
As per police sources, “The raid was conducted in month of August, the matter is under enquiry”
