Employee wins Dhs99,567 in court after 3-month salary delay in Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Primary Labour Court has ordered a company to pay Dhs99,567 to an employee who had been working under a fixed-term contract but was not paid his salaries and wages for approximately three months.

The employee had filed a complaint with the Labour Department at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), but the department was unable to resolve the dispute and subsequently referred the case to the court.

In his lawsuit, the employee requested that the court compel the company to pay the overdue wages for three months—totaling Dhs99,567—and cover legal fees and expenses. He stated that, according to his contract, he was entitled to a monthly basic salary of Dhs12,000 and a total salary of Dhs29,000.

The court noted that while a representative of the company attended the hearing, no defense or supporting evidence was presented. Since the employee claimed unpaid wages and the burden of proof lies with the employer, who failed to provide payment evidence, the court ruled in the employee’s favor.

Taking into account the employee’s total monthly salary, the court ordered the company to pay Dhs99,567 in unpaid dues.