Abu Dhabi court orders company to pay Dh110,400 in unpaid wages

Indian Express

21-06-2025

An Abu Dhabi labour court has ordered a company to pay an employee Dh110,400 in unpaid wages after it delayed his start date and did not let him begin work, Khaleej Times reported.
The First Instance Court said the amount covered four months and 18 days of salary. The man had signed a fixed-term contract that offered a basic salary of Dh7,200 and a total package of Dh24,000 per month. He filed a case asking for his pay from 11 November 2024 to 7 April 2025.
According to court documents, the company kept delaying his start date, leaving him without pay during that period. A representative of the company appeared in court, submitted a defence, and asked that the case be transferred to the proper division.
The court found that 'it was clear from the wage report, the employment contract, and the supporting documents submitted through the case management system that the delay in starting work was due to the employer,' Khaleej Times quoted from the ruling.
The court also referred to the law, saying employers must pay wages on time. It said that wages are a worker's right and cannot be withheld without clear proof, such as a written waiver.
The company argued that the man did not report to work and went on leave. But the court found no proof of this, saying there was no formal investigation into any absence. The man admitted to taking eight days off, which the court deducted from the final amount.