A woman who worked for the same employer for nearly two decades has been awarded more than Dh61,000 after an Abu Dhabi labor court ruled that she was dismissed without proper notice.
The Abu Dhabi Labour Court of First Instance found that the employee, who began her service in 2008 and remained with the company until the end of 2025, was unlawfully terminated after about 18 years of continuous employment. The court ordered the employer to pay Dh61,071, covering unpaid leave benefits and compensation in lieu of notice.
The case stemmed from a lawsuit filed by the employee seeking payment of alleged outstanding employment dues. She claimed unpaid salaries amounting to Dh35,372, accrued annual leave worth Dh28,520, Dh106,116 as compensation for arbitrary dismissal equivalent to three months’ salary, Dh35,372 in lieu of notice, Dh8,900 for overtime pay, and the issuance of a work experience certificate. She also sought 12 per cent annual interest for late payment from the date the case was filed, as well as legal costs.
In its ruling, the court emphasized that UAE labor law requires employers to pay wages on time and in line with systems approved by the relevant authorities. It highlighted the lack of prior notice before the employee’s dismissal and her entitlement to benefits accumulated over her long years of service.
While the court did not grant all the amounts claimed, it ruled in favour of the employee on key points, concluding that the termination did not comply with legal requirements.
