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Police report lodged against Tamil Nesan ex-boss for commercial crime

Police report lodged against Tamil Nesan ex-boss for commercial crime

GOMBAK: Former editorial staff of Tamil daily, Tamil Nesan have lodged police reports against their former managing director and chief executive officer, S Vell Paari for allegedly committing commercial crime by failing to contribute to Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Social Security Organisation (Socso).

“Our salaries were deducted but no contribution were made to the EPF and Socso,” said the daily’s axed editor-in-chief, K Pathmanabhan.

He along with 20 ex-Tamil Nesan staff were present at the Gombak district police headquarters to lodge the police report today.

The oldest Tamil daily in Malaysia called it a day on Feb 1 this year after starting its operations back in 1924.

It was run by the family of former minister, Tun S Samy Vellu. The company’s managing director and chief executive officer was S Vell Paari.

“We were promised pay for the months of February and March but only received for February.

“There were no Socso contribution since 2016. There is also no EPF contribution even though our salary was deducted for that purpose

“As a result, we are not qualified for Employment Insurance Scheme. We consulted our union but there was no response,” said Pathmanabhan.

Former senior photographer SM Sundar, who spent 35 years in the daily, said that he tried contacting Vell Paari on the matter but was told that the issue is now being handled by lawyers.

“We even met Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran in February but it is all quiet,” he said.

Former sub editor D Saraladevi, meanwhile, told the media that there were initially talks that the company had agreed to pay RM1.4 million to all 50 staff of Tamil Nesan but that too did not materialise.

Responding to the matter, Vell Paari gave an assurance that the due payments to the EPF and Socso will be made soon.

“We wanted a final figure for the payment. As company directors, we are duty bound to make the payments,” he told The Leaders Online.

“EPF only got back to us on Friday and my representative is in talks with the other statutory body,” he said.

Vell Paari also said that Tamil Nesan had received two winding up notices due to heavy debts the daily had incurred.

By K Pragalath


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