MINDLabs - MIND Laboratories Sdn Bhd : Inefficiency or Fraud?

It started out as an advertisement looking for freelance translators. I was quite reluctant to go because the interview was in Desa Melawati, the other side of the planet that I have yet to explore. Timmy asked me to go and check it out, and I was really glad that I did.

I passed the translation test and got my first assignment. It’s just a marvellous job, I was gushing about it earlier and can say that it’s the ideal job! Can be done at home and anywhere while you are being paid to do another job!

I sent the assignment in and it got sent back for me to do some amendments. I did the changes and mailed it back. I don’t remember the exact date I sent it back but the ‘date modified’ on the document shows 21/10/08, which I believe it could be sent earlier.

The payment was promised at the end of each month. October came and gone, nothing. Emails then started coming in; fellow translators started corresponding with each other about non-payment. One of them is an anak Dato. We decided to wait and see..

I waited until the 1st week of November. Nothing. I thought maybe the 2nd week will see something, knowing how these companies work, typical government-related company that is made up of lembab people. 3rd week and I called them. They said they hadn’t received my documents!

Oh..so that was why I hadn’t received anything..

But wait! Emails don’t get lost just like that. Snail mail, maybe. But not email. And hey, I even sent them a hardcopy as requested to! And the clerk even said she remembered seeing my hardcopy.

Now let’s not delve into why they need a hardcopy as proof of receipt. I now understand why they need it, cos they have a high tech server system that saves you money from paying all these translators.

I decided to give them another chance. Amazingly the very next day after I called them, I received an email from the editor asking if I was still interested in continuing. The very next day out of the umpteenth days of waiting for my cash in silence. That email was also sent to the other 2 people who complained/ discussed about non-payment. Hmm...

On 2nd December, knowing it was my birthday, they banked in RM75, half of the promised amount. 2 months later and half the amount? The other half is promised to be next week.

Today is 23rd December. I called them yesterday and was told that they don’t have the money yet. I think this Santa is one that is very strict and does no early delivery for Christmas.

I heard that they have placed ads looking for translators. Not sure what is their motive, to get a free translated document here and there?

If only they had paid the amount in full and promptly, I would have given them a 2nd chance. But chasing for money, if there is any at all, is a very tiring and costly job with a big question mark in front of your face.

Please check out the company’s website , scroll down and you’ll be amazed who the shareholder is. You will really be amazed, I promise.