A porter taking more than the fixed wage

Question

Question: A friend of mine who is a porter asked this question: we are not government employees; rather, we pay a yearly sum for coming and going at the station, and in return we receive a permit to work at the station. The government has fixed a rate of 3 annas (a coin worth 1/16 of a rupee) per bedding roll together with a box, but we often take more from passengers — whatever is agreed between us and the passengers. Is it permissible for us to take this extra wage or not?

Answer

If, on finding out, the government would not bring a case and would not subject one to humiliation, then it is permissible.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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