Man left stranded in money shortage

A Kidderminster training manager has been left "stranded" in the Philippines after the company he worked for told him they could not afford his air fare home, an employment tribunal heard.

Jason Bergania, a Philippines national, is alleged to have returned to the country on business while working for the Health Care Training Academy Ltd, a care company based in Church Street, Kidderminster.

But according to Mr Bergania's friend Ryazan Duray the company said it did not have the funds for his return ticket and the training manager is still overseas.

Miss Duray, of Cherry Orchard, Kidderminster, appeared at the Birmingham employment tribunal yesterday on behalf of Mr Bergania, from Offmore Road, Kidderminster.

Mr Bergania has lodged a claim for compensation, in his absence, against Health Care Training Academy Ltd for unpaid wages.

The tribunal awarded Mr Bergania £2,957, plus an unpaid £250 cash bonus.

Mr Bergania was a training manager at the academy. Health Care Training Ltd, said it had been appealing against the claim but did not comment on the result of the hearing.