Employee Awarded Dh61,000 in Abu Dhabi Unfair Dismissal Case

A woman who worked for the same employer for nearly two decades has been awarded more than Dh61,000 after an Abu Dhabi labour court found that she was dismissed without notice, in breach of UAE labour law.

The Abu Dhabi Labour Court of First Instance ruled that the employee, who began her service in 2008 and remained in employment until the end of 2025, had been unfairly terminated after around 18 years of continuous service. The court ordered the employer to pay Dh61,071, covering unpaid annual leave entitlements and compensation in lieu of notice.

The case arose after the employee filed a lawsuit seeking payment of what she described as outstanding employment dues. Her claims included Dh35,372 in unpaid salaries, Dh28,520 for accrued annual leave, Dh106,116 as compensation for arbitrary dismissal equivalent to three months’ salary, Dh35,372 in lieu of notice, Dh8,900 in overtime pay, and the issuance of a work experience certificate. She also sought interest at 12 per cent from the date the claim was filed, along with legal costs.

In its judgment, the court emphasised that UAE labour law obliges employers to pay wages on time and in accordance with approved wage protection systems. It noted in particular the employer’s failure to provide notice prior to termination and the employee’s entitlement to benefits accrued over her long period of service.

Although the court did not award all the amounts claimed, it ruled in favour of the employee on key aspects of the case, concluding that the termination had not complied with statutory requirements.

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