Abu Dhabi Employee Wins Case Over Unpaid Wages

Abu Dhabi employee has successfully won a case against a company that did not fulfil the terms of his employment contract, despite never beginning work. A local court mandated the organisation to pay AED 110,400 (approximately ₹26 lakh) for unpaid wages tied to a position that the employee was never permitted to commence.

Details of the Employment Contract

The unnamed employee entered into a fixed-term contract stipulating a basic salary of AED 7,200 and a comprehensive compensation package of AED 24,000 per month, as reported by Khaleej Times. This contract was in effect from November 11, 2024, until April 7, 2025. Despite having a valid offer letter and completing all required formalities, the company did not allow him to start working.

Legal Proceedings at Abu Dhabi Labour Court

The employee escalated the issue to the Abu Dhabi Labour Court, which ruled in his favour. The court highlighted that employment contracts hold legal weight, even if the employee has not yet officially commenced their role. Emarat Al Youm reported that the court stated, “The evidence from the wage report, employment contract, and supporting documents submitted through the case management system indicated that the employer was responsible for the delay in starting work.”

Employer’s Claims and Court Findings

The employer contended that the employee was on leave and had failed to report for duty. However, the court discovered no signs of any formal inquiry or verification of such absence. Although the employee acknowledged an eight-day leave, this was deducted from the total claim, leading to a salary award for four months and 18 days.

Civil Transactions Law and Employee Rights

The court referenced Article 912 of the Civil Transactions Law, asserting that wages constitute a fundamental right of the worker and cannot be withheld without written proof of waiver or legitimate legal justification.