Taking money from factory workers under pressure

Question

Some craftsmen are employed in a workshop who owe a debt of a thousand rupees, yet despite this they keep asking for an advance every week. In this situation the owner of the workshop, in order to put pressure on them, makes them spend 5 rupees each on sweets, and then gives the advance. What is the ruling on this giving? And on the owner’s making them spend?

Answer

Making them spend by putting pressure on them is not correct. Yes, if he counts it towards his debt, then it is correct.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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