The Abu Dhabi Labour Court has recovered Dh7.8 million ($2.1 million) out of total claims worth Dh12.3 million across three labour disputes, restoring due wages to 948 workers. The ruling was announced on Monday, September 21, 2026. 457 workers received their full outstanding payments, while 491 others received partial settlements, with the remaining balances placed under structured instalment plans with the companies involved. Notably, the affected workers retained their positions with the same employers, a outcome the court said supports both job stability for staff and continuity for the businesses.
In a statement, the Abu Dhabi Labour Court said the resolution "reflects its commitment to resolving labour disputes swiftly and protecting workers' rights under applicable laws."
Separately, figures from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation show that in the first half of 2026, around 185,793 labour disputes — 98.6 per cent of all cases — were resolved amicably outside the courts, with only 2,481 cases, or 1.4 per cent, referred to the judiciary. The figures underscore that the ministry's mediation mechanism remains the primary route for resolving employer-employee disputes across the UAE, with courts acting as a last resort for more complex cases.