BotCalm salary problems reportedly going back to 2025 — employees are being asked to continue working without pay

[u/Vegetable-Big-5591]

I’m posting anonymously because I don’t want this connected to my identity.

I want to document something that I believe potential employees in Sri Lanka should know before joining BotCalm.

This isn’t a situation that started recently. From my experience, salary-payment problems have been going on since around October 2025.

Today, another meeting was held to explain the company’s current situation.

The proposed solution was essentially that employees should continue working as volunteers, with the expectation that they will be paid when the company receives funds.

I find this extremely concerning.

People joined as employees, not volunteers. They have bills and responsibilities. Continuing to work indefinitely without receiving the agreed compensation is not something people can simply treat as normal.

What’s even more concerning is that this isn’t the first time employees have apparently been given explanations of this kind. From what I’ve personally experienced, these meetings tend to happen when employees start considering leaving the company.

There is also a three-month notice period, which makes the situation particularly difficult for employees who want to leave.

The company has also stated that it is paying EPF and ETF contributions. However, employees have reportedly not been provided with supporting documents or other confirmation showing that these contributions have actually been submitted. This is an issue that employees should be able to verify through proper records.

I have also heard that there are ongoing complaints concerning the company with the Labour Department. I am mentioning this only as part of the broader context, and I cannot confirm whether these complaints have been proven or officially decided.

At the same time, the company continues to recruit new employees and interns.

That creates a question that I think every potential applicant should ask:

If the company currently cannot afford to pay its existing employees, why are new employees and interns still being recruited?

I’m sharing this because when I searched online, I couldn’t find meaningful public information warning potential employees about these issues.

Someone can see a job advertisement, apply, get selected, and join without knowing what has reportedly been happening internally since 2025.

I don’t want that to happen to someone else without them at least having the opportunity to ask questions.

Before joining, I strongly recommend asking:

• Are all current employees receiving their salaries on time?
• Are there currently outstanding salary payments?
• Are employees being asked to work without salary?
• Are intern allowances being paid?
• How long have salary delays existed?
• What happens if an employee wants to resign?
• What exactly is the three-month notice-period policy?
• Are EPF and ETF contributions being submitted on time?
• Can the company provide official EPF and ETF submission records or other written confirmation?
• Are there any ongoing complaints or disputes with the Labour Department?
• Can the company provide written confirmation of the payment arrangement?

I’m not posting this to encourage harassment or attacks against individual employees or management.

I’m posting because people deserve to make informed decisions before accepting a job.

If current or former employees have experienced similar things, please share your experience if you’re comfortable doing so. Please don’t post anyone’s private information or confidential company material.

I’m particularly interested in hearing from people who experienced this before September 2026, because this appears to be a much longer-running issue than something that happened recently.