Abu Dhabi Labour Court recovers Dh7.8m for 948 workers in settlements

Abu Dhabi Labour Court recovered Dh7,811,933 in outstanding financial entitlements for 948 workers within three months through judicial deposits and direct payments under amicable settlements of three collective labour disputes. The recovered amount came from total claims of Dh12.3 million. The court worked jointly with the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation along with the disputing parties to secure the payments. The settlements were reached across three collective cases during the three-month period.

Full and partial payment distribution#

Under the settlements, 457 workers received their entitlements in full while 491 workers received partial payments. Remaining balances were placed under structured instalment plans designed to ensure ongoing recovery of outstanding dues. Workers affected by the disputes were able to keep their positions with the companies involved under the settlement terms, maintaining employment relationships and supporting business continuity. The court stated the result demonstrates its focus on swift labour dispute resolution and safeguarding workers' rights under applicable laws.

National dispute resolution performance#

During the first half of 2026, the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation resolved 98.6 per cent of labour disputes amicably. The ministry's dispute resolution system handled 185,793 cases during that period. The judiciary received 2,481 cases for further action, accounting for 1.4 per cent of the total. The ministry can adjudicate labour disputes directly where claims do not exceed Dh50,000, a measure that has accelerated resolution timelines and reduced court caseloads.

Wage Protection System integration#

The enhanced Wage Protection System has reduced labour dispute causes by enabling proactive oversight of employer wage payment compliance and early detection of delays or violations. The ministry's digital and regulatory systems now integrate both the labour dispute resolution framework and the Wage Protection System to improve compliance monitoring and enable data-driven decision-making. Employers and employees can submit labour complaints and seek advice through the ministry's Labour Claims and Advisory Call Centre at 80084 or via its website and smart app.