Is what the husband and his assistant did—asking a worker for two phone cards in exchange for giving him his full wage, without the knowledge of the employer who pays the wage—considered a bribe, and what should the husband do about it?

What was mentioned about the husband constitutes an error from two perspectives:

First: His attempt to reduce the agreed-upon wage, which is a grave error, based on the hadith: "Three types of people will find me as their adversary on the Day of Resurrection: a man who gives a promise in My Name then betrays it; a man who sells a free person and consumes the price; and a man who hires a laborer, benefits from his labor, but does not give him his wage."

Second: His condition of buying phone cards after agreeing to pay the amount. This falls under consuming others' wealth without their willing consent, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "The wealth of a Muslim person is not lawful [to take] except with his willing consent."

This action is not justified by the fact that he was not directly involved in the request, because he is a partner and knows that the worker gave the money unwillingly.

It is obligatory for the husband and his colleague to repent to Allah. Part of their complete repentance is to return the amount to its owner if possible; otherwise, they should give it in charity on his behalf.