An Indian Civil Engineer went unpaid for 19 months and was denied his end-of-service benefit. Now, the Abu Dhabi Labour Court has awarded him Dh475,555. Moreover, the case highlights the firm stance of the UAE on protecting employees’ rights and ensuring treatment for expatriate workers.
The engineer worked with a private company in the UAE for 15 years. However, he resigned in April this year after struggling without pay for more than a year. Despite his resignation, the company refused to release his final settlement. Moreover, it included gratuity and more than Dh300,000 in unpaid wages.
Legal Battle and Abu Dhabi Labour Court Intervention
As per the UAE labour dispute process, the worker first filed a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) in June. However, the matter was forwarded to the Abu Dhabi Labour Court when mediation failed.
At this point, the engineer has the expertise of Hamad Bin Jarwan Advocates & Legal Consultancy (HBJ). Advocates Mihjah Ahmad and Sahadudheen Moopen reviewed salary slips, company records, and service documents to create a strong case.
Advocate Mihjah said, “Towards the end of his employment, he faced mental health challenges due to a financial crisis, as he had taken loans to cover daily expenses. The company cited his unpaid leaves as a reason to deny the perks, but the court understood his rightful entitlements.”
Court’s Decision and Wider Impact
The judgment of the court awarded the engineer a settlement of Dh475,555, which covers his unpaid salary and benefits. However, the return ticket was not included in the claim, as he returned to the UAE and started working with another company.
The legal experts highlighted that this decision shows the statutory safeguard of the UAE Labour Court, which requires claims for entitlements to be filed within one year from the due date.
Dr Hamad bin Jarwan al Shamsi, Chairman of HBJ, said, “This ruling reconfirms the dedication of the UAE to protect its diverse workforce and sets a precedent for addressing the long pending wage disputes”.
Key Takeaway
The judgment serves as a reminder that the court in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) upholds employee rights. Moreover, it ensures that expatriates get fair treatment in salary and benefits disputes. In short, it sets a global example to preserve the rights of employees.
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