Dear Diviak,
Thank you for your appreciation. 24 years ago I worked in a pharmaceutical company based in Gujarat and operating in Andhra Pradesh. After working for sometime, when I was not paid salary and other allowances, I contested the case in the local labour court. I ran from pillar to post for justice, nothing much could be done. Finally, after many hearings, since neither the employer nor his representative attended the court proceedings, the case was pronounced ex-parte and decree was given in my favour. Even after that also, the employer bothered least to pay my dues. I had to forget the case and move on, as there was nothing could be done.
Most of the times, the aggrieved, withdraw from pursuing the matter further, due to their economic conditions and other wise, fearing the consequences. Now, even though the scenario has changed and higher echelons of judiciary are responding well to public grievances, things remain the same due to corruption in judiciary system itself. Moreover, suppose you file a case along with your colleagues against your employer, what will happen? Employer has plenty of leisure time and money and he will manage the things and you have to attend court proceedings, whenever you are summoned by the court. Can you do that? Suppose some of your colleagues collude with your employer, can you really do any thing about it? No! Take the recent case of Kingfisher Airlines! The employees have not been paid salaries for months and nothing could move the employer, in spite of the case attracting nation-wide attention! Even the courts did not interfere!
My view is not to discourage you from taking any action. Weigh pros and cons and if you had already switched to another job and your current employer is understanding and supportive, then explain the case and take his help. Discuss this case with local labour authorities, if you have a union, let the office bearers of the union handle this issue!
With regards,
Madhusudan