SCREWED FOR CHRISTMAS
Boss schmoozes staff before jetting back to USA Firm phone 400 workers to say they won’t be paid
A GRINCH boss was blasted last night for wrecking his workers’ Christmas after his company told them they wouldn’t be getting paid as usual on December 24.
Kaiam chief executive Dr Bardia Pezeshki was branded a “coward” after chatting to staff at the US firm’s Scottish base – then jetting off to the States the next day as nearly 400 workers were warned there was no money to pay them.
Staff were told to call a helpline on Christmas Eve to learn their fate.
One worker said: “My colleagues will be completely screwed.”
HEARTLESS factory bosses called hundreds of workers to say their wages hadn’t been paid – and advised them to phone back on Christmas Eve to learn their fate.
More than 350 employees at the Kaiam plant in Livingston were sent home and then warned on Thursday night there was no money to pay them. They were told to call an automated helpline on December 24 for an update.
But the Record can reveal the US tech hardware firm were warned by business authorities last week they faced being struck off records and dissolved in two months’ time.
None of the company’s troubles were let slip on Wednesday when Kaiam’s boss, Dr Bardia Pezeshki, visited the site and spoke to workers.
It is understood the CEO, who has a house in Edinburgh, took a flight back to the firm’s California base before the devastating news was delivered to staff.
Last night, workers told of their shock at the announcement and claimed the company have a £1million wages’ shortfall.
Staff get up to £1500, which is paid on the 27th of every month – but this is always brought forward a week at Christmas.
Kevin Wells said: “Losing your job is horrible but for it to happen at this time of year is sickening – many of my colleagues will be completely screwed for Christmas.
The 27-year-old dad of three added: “We’ve to call an automated helpline on the 24th to find out what’s happening but no one’s holding their breath.
“We’ve been told to expect redundancies but we’ve seen the Companies House letter which proves Kaiam knew this was going to happen and suggests they plan to shut down the operation.
“Bardia didn’t say anything. We were told he flew back to California and let other people break the news for him. What a coward.”
The Record received a copy of the Companies House letter dated December 11, 2018, which was sent to Kaiam Europe’s directors in London. It said: “The Registrar of Companies gives notice that, unless cause is shown to the contrary, at the expiration of two months from the above date the name of Kaiam Europe Ltd will be struck off the register and the company will be dissolved.
“On dissolution, all property and rights vested in or held in trust for the company are deemed to be bona vacant and accordingly will belong to the crown.”
Employee Arlene Harries, 37, said: “We have no money and Christmas has been cancelled – it’s absolutely disgusting. We were always told this would never happen and not to worry and so spent all our money, we are totally relying on this wage.
“All we’ve got is a couple of phone numbers to call an answer machine. What a way to treat people.”
Calum Telfer, 24, said: “This is a very terrible situation for everyone. Many colleagues have spent all their money on Christmas presents – they can’t now even afford food for their kids next week.”
Another female worker who wished to remain anonymous told us: “I got a call from one of the HR people who told me not to come in until further notice and call the helpline on Christmas Eve.
“HR told me the company were struggling to find a million pounds to pay all our wages. It’s just not going to happen.”
Other workers took to Facebook to vent their anger. Elias Wesley wrote: “I have had my sister in tears as they were depending on that wage for Christmas. There are also other families depending on it. They depended on that wage to get their child that special present. Most
wonderful time of the year – you having a laugh? Am no’ f***ing laughing. A lot of others are not.”
Andy Baxter added: “To hear that company CEO has seen fit to have himself in California considering he was sitting with staff in the canteen the day before their announcement they had NO funds to pay wages Dr Bardia Pezeshki.”
Kaiam make parts that allow data to be sent at high speeds between multiple servers.
They transport the technology made in Livingston to their US base.
Their website lists their values as “treating everyone with respect and integrity” and “communicate openly and honestly”.
In 2014, they got an £850,000 Scottish Enterprise grant to relocate some of their production from a site in China to Livingston.
Last night, Labour MSP Neil Findlay said: “I am very concerned. Hundreds of hard working people are being left in the lurch before Christmas with no knowledge of what will happen with their jobs.”
SNP Livingston MP Hannah Bardell added: “We need to get more information because workers have been left in this horrible limbo.” West Lothian Council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick said: “We are seeking clarification as to what their plans are for the plant.”
Scottish Enterprise said: “We are working with the company, West Lothian Council and Skills Development Scotland, and are committed to achieving the best possible outcome.”
Kaiam sales director Peter Baird refused to comment yesterday. Pezeshki did not reply to an email requesting a comment and there was no reply at Kaiam’s California HQ.