Article 146 of Private Sector Labour Law

The action must be preceded by an application submitted by the worker or those entitled through him to the competent Labour Department. The Department shall summon the two parties to the dispute or their representatives. If the Department fails to settle the dispute amicably, it must, within one month from the date of submission of the application, refer it to the Court of First Instance for determination. Referral shall be by a memorandum containing a summary of the dispute, the defences of both parties and the Department's observations. If it becomes apparent to the Court that the employer has been obdurate in paying the worker's entitlements, it may award him compensation equivalent to 1% of the value of those entitlements for each month of delay in payment, starting from the date of submission of the application referred to in the first paragraph. Article (145) of this Law shall apply to the amount awarded, without prejudice to the worker's right to claim any other compensation before the same Court.