Court Orders Healthcare Facility to Pay Doctor Dh84,542 in Salary Dispute
Court rejects annual leave claim as doctor’s service period was under six months, but orders payout of unpaid wages and travel ticket
Staff WriterAug 13, 2025, 7:11 AMThe Abu Dhabi Labour Court - First Instance has ordered a healthcare facility to pay a doctor Dh84,542 in unpaid wages, provide her with a one-way economy-class ticket to her home country worth up to Dh1,500, issue an experience certificate, and cover legal costs within the awarded amount.
The doctor filed a claim seeking Dh99,709 in overdue salaries, Dh5,600 as annual leave pay, legal interest at 12 per cent from the date of the claim until settlement, an experience certificate, a Dh1,500 travel ticket, and coverage of court fees and legal expenses.
Court documents showed her contract stipulated a monthly salary of Dh35,000, including a basic salary of Dh14,000. She had worked at the facility for 5 months and 19 days under a two-year contract. The employer failed to produce evidence proving salary payments or to substantiate deductions it claimed were due to her absences, late arrivals, and policy breaches. No records of investigations or written warnings were presented.
The court awarded her Dh84,542 in unpaid wages, along with the travel ticket and experience certificate, but rejected her claim for annual leave pay as her service duration fell short of the six-month eligibility threshold.
Under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations and its Executive Regulations, employers must pay wages in full and on time, with the burden of proof on the employer in case of disputes. Article 29 of the law stipulates that annual leave pay entitlement requires at least six months of continuous service. Article 65 also obliges employers to provide an end-of-service travel ticket unless otherwise agreed in writing.
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