Abu Dhabi Labour Court Settles Collective Complaint by Paying 84 Workers AED 5 Million

The Abu Dhabi Labour Court, in cooperation with the Labour Crisis Management Committee, has successfully settled a collective dispute involving 84 workers of a company, and completed the delivery of their financial entitlements for a total amount of 5,175,818 dirhams, through prompt legal measures after the Mobile Court moved to the location of the workers’ accommodation, while ensuring that all precautionary and protective measures are observed to avoid infection with Covid-19.

The Abu Dhabi Labour Court emphasised its commitment to handle and settle the dispute in record time, by facilitating and expediting the registration of the claims, hearing the cases and delivering judgments with the entitlements of each worker separately with expedited enforcement. A Court order was also issued to maintain the workers at their place of residence and prevent their evacuation until they receive their entire entitlements, as well as to take the necessary steps to transfer the residence of the workers who so desire to other companies.

The Court also underlined the concern of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) for the prompt settlement of labour cases, especially collective disputes, and for securing the payment of workers’ dues in accordance with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, in order to speed up the settlement of cases and shorten the period of litigation, with the aim of achieving the Judicial Department’s main objective, which is fair and accomplished justice.

The Labour Court explained that the mechanism adopted to deal with these disputes, in coordination with the competent agencies, enables all parties to obtain their rights as guaranteed by law, as part of the UAE’s commitment to safeguarding workers’ rights and providing them with the necessary protection under the rule of law, through an advanced judicial system that meets all requirements and ensures accomplished justice.

The Labour Court also appreciated the integration of efforts between the relevant authorities and the provision of services that would assist workers in meeting their living requirements during the transitional phase towards the final settlement of their situation, with the outstanding efforts of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation to address the conditions of workers wishing to change companies.