Al Ain Court upholds ruling in labour dispute, orders company to pay nearly Dh75,000 to former employee

Long-running legal battle concludes with employee awarded unpaid wages and benefits

Last updated:
Khitam Al Amir, Chief News Editor
1 MIN READ
Illustrative image.
Illustrative image.
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Al Ain: The Al Ain Court for Civil, Commercial, and Administrative Claims has upheld a lower court ruling ordering a private company to pay Dh74,898 to a former employee in unpaid wages and end-of-service benefits, bringing an end to a prolonged labour dispute that spanned several years, according to Al Khaleej Arabic daily.

The employee, who was dismissed after nearly 10 years of service, filed a case after the company failed to settle his dues upon termination.

Court documents revealed that the worker, who earned a basic monthly salary of Dh5,000, initially approached the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation in an attempt to resolve the issue amicably.

When no resolution was reached, the matter was referred to the courts.

In his case before the Court of First Instance, the claimant sought Dh25,000 in unpaid wages, Dh43,267 in gratuity, Dh7,500 for unused leave, Dh5,000 in notice pay, and Dh15,000 for wrongful dismissal.

He argued that despite a valid employment contract, the company had failed to honour its obligations at the end of his tenure. The employer denied the claims and urged the court to dismiss the case due to insufficient evidence.

Following an expert review, the court ruled in the employee's favour and awarded him Dh74,898.93. The company appealed, requesting that a decisive oath be administered — an accepted legal mechanism in the UAE whereby a sworn statement can settle a dispute.

The Al Ain Court permitted the oath, which the employee delivered in person. The court deemed the oath conclusive, dismissed the appeal, and upheld the original ruling.

Khitam Al Amir
Khitam Al AmirChief News Editor
With over 30 years of journalistic experience spanning from Jordan to the UAE, Khitam has spent the past 22 years reporting on national and regional news from Dubai, with a strong focus on the UAE, GCC and broader Arab affairs. As Chief News Editor, she brings extensive expertise in delivering breaking and engaging news to readers. Beginning her tenure as a translator, she advanced through roles as Senior Translator and Chief Translator before transitioning to editorial positions, culminating in her current leadership role. Her responsibilities encompass monitoring breaking news across the UAE and the broader Arab region, ensuring timely and accurate dissemination to the public.​ Born into a family of journalists, Khitam's passion for news was ignited early in life. A defining moment in her youth occurred in September 1985 when she had the opportunity to converse with the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during her visit to a Palestinian refugee camp north of Amman. During this encounter, Khitam shared her family's experiences of displacement from their home in Palestine and their subsequent refuge in Jordan. This poignant interaction not only deepened her understanding of geopolitical issues but also solidified her commitment to pursuing a career in journalism, aiming to shed light on the stories of those affected by regional conflicts. Khitam’s commitment to accurate and timely reporting drives her to seek out news that interests readers, making her a trusted source for news on the UAE and the broader Gulf region.
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