AED 7.8 Million Recovered: Major Win for 948 Abu Dhabi Workers

In a significant victory for employee rights, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), in coordination with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), has successfully recovered AED 7,811,933 for 948 employees. The recovery process, which was completed in just three months, resolved three major collective labor disputes.

While the total value of the claims filed by the workers amounted to AED 12.308 million, the combined efforts of mediation and legal proceedings ensured that the vast majority of the funds were secured for the affected staff.

Breakdown of the Settlement

The recovery was distributed among the workers as follows:

457 workers received the full amount of their claims.
491 workers received 50% of their dues immediately, with the remaining balance to be paid through structured installment plans.

Notably, the court took measures to ensure that all 948 workers retained their employment status throughout the duration of the legal process.

High Resolution Rates in Labor Mediation

The success of these cases highlights the efficiency of the UAE's dispute resolution mechanisms. Data from MoHRE for the first half of 2026 shows that 185,793 labor disputes were settled through mediation, representing an impressive 98.6 percent resolution rate.

Legal intervention via the court system is typically sought in two scenarios:

When mediation efforts between the employer and employee fail to reach a resolution.
When the value of the labor claim exceeds AED 50,000.

Step-by-Step Guide to Recovering Unpaid Dues

For employees seeking to recover unpaid wages, overtime, or gratuities, officials recommend following a structured legal path to ensure all rights are protected.

1. Formal Communication

The first step is to submit a formal written reminder to the employer. It is essential to keep detailed records of all such communications and maintain all relevant bank statements.

2. Filing an Official Complaint

If the matter remains unresolved, workers should file a complaint through the MoHRE via the following channels:

The MoHRE helpline at 80060.
The MoHRE UAE mobile application.
The Ministry’s official website, using an Emirates ID, labor card, or passport number.

3. Understanding the Legal Path

The process differs depending on the claim amount:

Claims up to AED 50,000: MoHRE may issue a final administrative decision. If a worker is unsatisfied, they have 15 working days to appeal the decision.
Claims exceeding AED 50,000: For larger claims or unresolved disputes, MoHRE will issue a referral letter to the Abu Dhabi Labour Court. Filings can be managed directly through adjd.gov.ae.

Required Documentation

To ensure a smooth process, workers should have the following documents ready:

Employment contracts
Wage slips
Bank statements and entries
Copies of identification (ID)
Records of overtime worked

It is important to note that any failure to process payments through the Wage Protection System (WPS)