More than 200 former workers of a Scottish software company have launched legal action to reclaim £3m in unpaid salaries and redundancy payments.

Billing systems outfit, TelesensKSCL, was placed into receivership on June 25 despite earlier assurances to employees that the company had money in the bank and two companies interested in buying it out.

Workers were told that they would not be paid their last month's salary or receive any redundancy payment, with some people reportedly out of pocket by an estimated £30,000.

Among those hit were a number of women on maternity leave.

Soon after the job cuts were announced TelesensKSCL was sold to the American billings giant Convergys.

After weeks of trying to resolve the matter the former employees have now decided to take legal action against Convergys and receivers Deloitte & Touche to recover millions of pounds which they claim in owed to them for unpaid salaries, contractual benefits and redundancy payments.

The former employees are also claiming compensation for unfair dismissal under European legislation.

The job cuts has caused outrage among local politicians. Helen Eadie, MSP Dunfermline East described the actions of the "disreputable company", TelesensKSCL, as "unforgivable".

Nigel Griffiths, MP Edinburgh South and Minister for Small Business said he was "highly suspicious of the motives and operation of this company" and called on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to investigate the collapse of TelesensKSCL.

A spokeswoman for Convergys said the company could not be held accountable since it was a matter between the receivers [Deloitte & Touche] and the ex-employees.

Deloitte & Touche declined to comment on the legal action. ®