Answer: Zakah is a matter of tremendous significance. In the Book of Allah it is mentioned alongside prayer, and it is the third pillar of Islam. Allah, exalted is He, has Himself specified its beneficiaries and set clear limits for them, and this alone testifies to its importance and standing in the religion.

Concerning what you asked about giving your zakah to the workers you employ—men whom, as you have said, are dutiful, upright, and poor—the ruling is this: zakah has no share for one who is wealthy, nor for one who is strong and able to earn. As long as these employees are capable of working and their earnings suffice for them, it is not permissible to give them zakah, because their ability to earn what meets their needs removes them from the categories of those entitled to it. There is therefore no portion of zakah for the rich or for the able-bodied wage-earner.

However, if their income falls short and they still experience need, then there is no objection to giving them zakah.

As for what you mentioned about writing a cheque for the amount of zakah and sending it to a bank so that it may be delivered to those entitled to it, there is nothing wrong with that. You may transfer it by cheque to a bank that will hand it over to its rightful recipients in their country. Allah knows best.
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Question: A certain man is known to be well-off, yet the zakah distributor fears the harm he might cause. May the distributor give him zakah out of fear of his harm or not?

Answer: Zakah must be spent only in the channels designated by Allah and not elsewhere. It is impermissible to give it to the rich. Since this person you have described is affluent, he is not entitled to receive zakah. If you wish to silence his tongue and ward off his evil, then give him something other than zakah. Allah knows best.